MLB Trade Rumors: Justin Morneau will stay with team, or move in August
By Mike Dyce
The Wednesday trade deadline is for non-waiver trades. That means teams can still swap players in August and Minnesota Twins first baseman Justin Morneau is one of the players that could move after the deadline.
“You can make a deal in August; there will be a lot of deals in August,” Twins general manager Terry Ryan said Tuesday evening, via the St. Paul Pioneer Press. “It’s easier to make a deal now. A meaningful deal is a little more difficult (in August).”
The market has cooled on Morneau. The Baltimore Orioles are reportedly not interested anymore, the Texas Rangers would hold off until they know what is going on with Lance Berkman and the Yankees have reportedly changed their minds, but there have been rumors of mystery teams that are interested in Morneau.
However, one talent evaluator thinks Morneau stays in Minnesota.
“I think he’s going to stay in Minnesota the rest of the year,” said a scout from a team closely monitoring Morneau’s availability.
If Morneau passed through waivers unclaimed, the Twins could trade him to any team. If a team claimed Morneau they’d have a brief period to work out a deal. If they can’t the Twins can let him go to the team that claimed him for nothing or could pull him off waivers.
“You’re dealing with one club then, instead of 29,” Ryan said. “It’s different in August, there’s no question about that, but there are things that change in August, too.”