Twins sign Morneau and Cuddyer

Twins sign Morneau and Cuddyer to long term that will take the team "deep into the new stadium"

http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=494382 http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail?contentId=5587316&version=6&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=1.1.1 http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/14355301.html

This is big news for the Twins who needed some positive energy after losing Torii Hunter to the Angels and the possibility of losing Johan Santana. Keeping Morneau and Cuddyer, along with Joe Mauer gives MInnesota some legitimate hitters in their line-up.

6-Years, $80 Million for Morneau, who had just signed a 1-year $7.4 Contract, is now locked up for a long time. This is huge news as the Twins are keeping their 2006 MVP.

3-years, $23 Million for Cuddyer, who could possibly take over for Torii in CF is a fan favorite who came up in the Minnesota System. He has shown great strides and leadership over the last two seasons. (contract includes 4th year, club option).

My inkling is that these contracts are either 5 or 6 year deals that will keep them as Twins as long as 2013, which is 3 years after the new ballpark is open.

LEN III of the Star Tribune had previously reported that the Twins were not going to move forward wis talks of long-term deals until the Santana situation had played itself out. Could this mean that the Twins have already agreed in principal to a trade and want positive vibes or could these signings be enough to show Johan Santana that they are serious about winning and this could have convince Johan to sign the 5-year deal with the Twins?

The Twins now have a nice young nucleus of hitters in Morneau, Cuddyer, Mauer, Jason Kubel and Delmon Young. They also have some nice pieces in the rotation with Santana, Baker, Bonser, Liriano, Slowey and others. This team may not contend this year, but they are only a year or two away now and will still be fun to watch.

Yakob878MVP

672 days ago

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they had to pay some one somthing or it would have been bad for them already losing david ortiz to name one.

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AcbabeisonVarsity

672 days ago

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With a new stadium opening up (which the tax payers are paying for) they had to sign Morneau. I think this may be a sign that they are going to deal Santana (hopefully to the Met's). I don't have time to look it up, but how does Morneau's deal compare to Joe Mauer's.

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CityhockeyfeverVarsity Captain

672 days ago

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I'm thrilled the Twins got this done with both Justin Morneau and Michael Cuddyer. I agree that after losing Torii Hunter, the team couldn't afford to lose another key player prior to when they open the new ballpark. Hopefully they decide soon on what they'll do with Johan Santana (my preference would be for him to stay and keep the front end of their starting rotation intact and Francisco Liriano has a comeback year to give Minnesota that one-two tandem of powerful lefties.

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AcbabeisonVarsity

672 days ago

Score 1

I agree that the tandom of two lefties would be great for their chances in '08, but with these new deals I think that trading Johan for some prospects that will be ready to make an impact in 2-3 years might be smarter. Right now in the Central the Tigers and Indians make it tough for the Twins to make the playoffs.

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KelsdadAll-Star

672 days ago

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Assuming Liriano is ready.

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AcbabeisonVarsity

672 days ago

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If Liriano is not ready then I think strengthens the argument to move Santana. I just don't think the Twins have a chance in the Central this season, and I might be giving fans too much credit, but I would be more excited about bringing in young talent than watching them miss the playoffs while paying Santana a mega salary.

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Manny StilesMajor Leaguer

672 days ago

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Yeah, I'm still gonna miss DY... (sniff...)

[edit] (HA HA SUCKERS!!!!)

Just kidding. brendan Harris is a classic "scrappy"/"gamer" type who can hit .300 with 12-18 HRs (and 7,435,343 errors).

Delmon is awesome - He has an AMAZING arm - {awe-worthy} but it was such a great deal for the Rays. They traded a guy they can replace for a pitcher they didn't have and a patchwork SS until Brignac getes sanded and polished.

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KelsdadAll-Star

672 days ago

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The Rays will miss Harris more than Young..

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Manny StilesMajor Leaguer

672 days ago

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NO they won't. I like Brendan, good dude, plays hard, etc. but let's be real: If you're a team in contention... He is a utility player, not a starting SS.

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KelsdadAll-Star

672 days ago

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So is Jason Bartlett, my friend.

And remember, who was the MVP of the 2001 Diamondbacks?

Right, a utility player.

If Longoria doesn't cut it, the Rays are screwed. Iwamura doesn't pan out at second (or if he doesn't hit), the Rays are screwed. If Bartlett takes a dive and Brignac isn't ready, the Rays are screwed.

If Matt Garza goes 14-10, well, that's his expectation anyway.

Mark my words

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Manny StilesMajor Leaguer

672 days ago

Score 1

Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling were utility players? Or were you referencing Luis Gonzalez?

Aki will be butter at 2nd. Joel Guzman (perfectly capable and has some pop) will play third if Longoria doesn't cut it (Guzman will also back up Pena at 1st)

I've marked your words before... maybe you should listen to me for once *cough, cough* A-Rod a Yankee *cough, cough* =)

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KelsdadAll-Star

672 days ago

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By team vote, the MVP was Craig Counsell.

You're ARod statement was nothing more than a guess and not at all based on any knowledge. And if ARod didn't whore himself to get back to New York (when it became apparent no one wanted him) then he would be elsewhere.

Way to go out on a limb there, big man.

Joel Guzman sucks. Guy couldn't even make the Dodgers.

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Manny StilesMajor Leaguer

672 days ago

Score 1

"team vote"? What about "reality check"?

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