Can Justin Morneau help struggling White Sox?
By Greg Patuto
Can Justin Morneau make an impact for the struggling Chicago White Sox after signing a one-year deal?
According to MLB.com, the Chicago White Sox have signed veteran first baseman Justin Morneau. At age 35, Morneau agrees to a one-year, $1 million deal with the Sox.
Morneau is a former AL MVP with the Twins in 2006 when he batted .321 with 34 home runs and 130 RBIs. While that may seem like a lifetime ago, Morneau won the batting title while on the Rockies in 2014. He hit .319 that season.
Let’s remember, Adam LaRoche retired from baseball when the White Sox did not allow him to have this son in the clubhouse so much. Morneau will see some time at first base and even in the DH spot. Morneau is still recovering from a left elbow injury and will continue to in the Minor Leagues. Morneau hopes to return to the big league club after the All-Star break,
This pickup comes at a crucial time for the Sox. They sit at 30-30 and 3.5 games back of the Indians in the AL Central division. The people of Chicago have high hopes for a championship, not only from the Cubs but from the White Sox, too. They have already begun to recreate the team. They made a trade earlier in the week for James Shields, they recently designated Jimmy Rollins for assignment and they called up one of their top prospects, Tim Anderson.
Adding Morneau will bring another strong bat into the lineup that already includes Todd Frazier and Jose Abreu. Not only will Morneau help on the field, he will be an asset off. The Sox are hoping he can provide some veteran leadership that can turn this team around and bring them to the top.
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