Minnesota Sports Forum

Boy it's been a couple years, but when this man gets on a role it's fun to watch him swing the bat. Him taking Darvish deep on that 0-2 curve was just a thing if beauty last night.

Well the pirates must agree with Gl there Justin

I really don't get this trade at all. They got a 28 year old out fielder (plenty of depth there already...) who isn't anything special and either a player to be named or cash? MEH

I mentioned quite awhile ago Morneau was going to be traded this year. The trade worked out for both teams. MN saves a good chunk of change (I don't think we pay the rest of his salary), Morneau gets to go to a contender. He was fantastic in his prime, but those days are long gone, especially with the obvious injuries. He just doesn't fit in the Twins plans anymore. Any prospects we get in return are gravy-and sometimes a player to be named later turns out ok (dodgers #16 prospect for Butera). Its been a blast watching him over the years, and I'm glad he gets a shot at the playoffs this year.

I'm mostly happy about the Morneau trade, for a few reasons. First, I really like this Pirates team, and I'm glad that Justin has the chance to do something in the post-season. I'll be cheering for them, and him.

Second, this season is lost and it's a good time to be conducting tryouts for Morneau's replacement. I'm hope that Collabello gets a chance to play every day. I suspect that his long swing and propensity to stand too far off the plate add up to a guy who is not going to hit in the majors, but he deserves an extended chance after putting up the impressive numbers he put up in AAA.

I'm not as comfortable with my third reason, because it's a little more difficult to explain. I recognize that Morneau is one of the great all time Twins...third in home runs, a consistently strong RBI guy, and an underrated glove at first base. But for some reason he never connected with me like other Twins greats did. I think it may be because of his quiet nature. It's odd, but sometimes I felt that he didn't care as much about a Twins win as I did. This may be irrational, but I put a lot of the blame for the Twins' recent lack of success on the team "leaders"...Mauer and Morneau. Their overly laid-back demeanor seemed to carry through to the rest of the team, and left the impression that the squad lacked the kind of passion that winners usually display. We needed a Gladden, Gaetti, or Hrbek the past decade to take us to the next level, but instead we got a team with no real leaders. I can't imagine either Joe or Justin saying what Kirby Puckett did late in the 1991 World Series: "Just hop on my back, boys, and I'll get you a championship." Now, that's leadership! It's hard for me to fault Justin for not being that kind of guy because it's just not who he is. But it's also why he will never be on my list of favorite Twins, and why I'm not heartbroken to see him gone. But I'll be cheering for him and the Pirates this fall, especially when they play against my local Dodgers!

I guess Long I disagree with you, I think he cares as much as everyone else he just has a quiet demeanor. I feel like everyone wants our leaders to be Kirby but the thing is there were always be only one Kirby Puckett. To ask someone to live up to his shoes or his leadership I just think is unfair. I would take Torii for example he was a go get him and hop on me guy. Yet he doesn't even come close as the leader Kirby was and if anything he hurt the team by trying to do to much in the playoffs, remember when he dove and gave up a inside the park home run up to Oakland. I'm gonna miss Justin I always seen him as a Professional at the game and the other guy I felt that way about is Shannon Stewart.

You're probably right, jester. Morneau's been a stud for the Twins and I shouldn't let his demeanor color my opinion. At any rate, I'll be cheering him on in the playoffs. The Pirates have a chance to do some damage.

I also like the Pirates and think this ends up being win win. I hope nothing but good things for him. He came into my store when I worked at MOA and the guy and his fiance at the time were just down to earth good people imo.