MLB trade rumors: Baltimore Orioles asking about Twins’ Justin Morneau?

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July 23, 2013; Anaheim, CA, USA; Minnesota Twins first baseman Justin Morneau (33) runs home to score a run in the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
July 23, 2013; Anaheim, CA, USA; Minnesota Twins first baseman Justin Morneau (33) runs home to score a run in the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

All of a sudden the Baltimore Orioles are one of the hottest names in the world of MLB trade rumors as the deadline gets dangerously close.

In case you were wondering, they are acting as buyers.

This time the Orioles have been linked to Minnesota Twins slugger Justin Morneau. Apparently the two sides are having preliminary talks as Baltimore reached out and asked about his availability according to  Dan Connolly of The Baltimore Sun:

"One of the Orioles top scouts has been in Seattle this week watching the Mariners and the Minnesota Twins. Minnesota’s former MVP Justin Morneau is on the trade block, and so may be several Mariners’ hitters including Raul Ibanez and Kendrys Morales. Seattle slugger Mike Morse, whom the Orioles have liked for years, is currently rehabbing from a quadriceps injury in Triple-A. All four players are pending free agents.According to an industry source, the Orioles have contacted the Twins abut Morneau – who has about $6 million remaining on his deal – but the conversations were defined as preliminary."

The Orioles have been liked to a plethora of players that could act as the DH. They have been linked to Michael Young of the Philadelphia Phillies, so it’s no surprise Morneau has been on the radar as well.

Morneau is a pricey player and would take a good amount to rip away from the Twins, but the Orioles are serious about their pursuit of a hitter.

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