@KenRosenhaus Talks have picked up between Oakland and Justin Morneau. Wants 7-years at around $14 Mil per.
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@JohnHayman Morneau deal done. Sides compromised: 5-years at $15.4 Million per year. Morneau cashes in on great '13 season.
ATHLETICS LOCK UP JUSTIN MORNEAU
Sign first baseman to 5-year pact
MLB.com -- by: Matthew Lurch
Last season, the A's and Mariners made a trade to swap players who were both unhappy with playing time and soon-to-be free agents. That trade was A's outfielder Chris Young to the M's for first baseman Kendrys Morales. Both clubs knew the players would be testing the market and both were right. That leaves Oakland GM looking for a new first baseman - and the posterboy of what the A's preach is on the market.
That player is Justin Morneau. High on-base percentage (.360 career) and plus-power potential. The only thing stopping Beane from landing his prized off-season target: coming to terms. The A's figured they would get a break from the original demands from a player who will be 33 years old coming into 2014. The Morneau camp had a different idea. They were seeking seven years and close to $95 Million total dollars.
In the end, the two sides compromised and came to a five-year, $78 Million deal that gives security to Morneau and Oakland their new first baseman.
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@MLBDepthCharts Updated #Athletics projected lineups after signing of Justin Morneau: bit.mlbdc.4233
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@JohnHayman Being told that the Mike Napoli camp is focused in on the #Giants at this point. Wants 6-years, $120 Million.
@BubbaOlmey Not many takers on A.J. Burnett right now; opposite true for Dan Haren-interest from SEA, NYY, PHI, COL