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Minnesota Twins: The 40 Best Players In Team History (No. 16-20)

By Jackson Bruce

Jul 16, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins former player Torii Hunter gives his Twins Hall of Fame speech before the game against the Cleveland Indians at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 16, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins former player Torii Hunter gives his Twins Hall of Fame speech before the game against the Cleveland Indians at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /
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MLB: Chicago White Sox at Minnesota Twins
Apr 16, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins first baseman Joe Mauer’s (7) bats wait in the dugout prior to the game between the Minnesota Wolves and the Chicago White Sox at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 19: Justin Morneau (23.3 WAR)

Justin Morneau was, at one point, one of the most dangerous offensive weapons in the game. He could hit for both average and power during his best years. He hit 30 or more home runs and batted .300 or better in three seasons..

Morneau teamed up with Joe Mauer to create one of the most feared tandems in the league. In 2006, Morneau won the American League MVP and picked up his first Silver Slugger award. He would make the All-Star team each of the next four seasons from 2007 to 2010.

His best season, according to wins above replacement, was in 2010. Oddly enough, that was a season where he only played 81 games. He had his best single season WAR total, which was 4.7. That year, in half of a season of work, Morneau batted .345 with 18 home runs and 56 runs batted in. If not for a concussion and its symptoms, Morneau may have had the best year of his career.

Injuries effected him.

After that season, Morneau would never be the same. He could not stay healthy in 2011, playing only 69 games. His power production was never the same, never hitting more than 19 in a season again. He would eventually be traded in 2013.

Morneau’s career was off to an amazing start, putting up seven All-Star type seasons. He was an American League MVP and four-time All-Star that led the Twins as a franchise-type player. While injuries cut his prime short, Morneau will be remembered as one of the best to play for the Twins.

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