Minnesota Twins: Logan Morrison and Joe Mauer clear waivers
By Nate Palmer
The Minnesota Twins have watched both Logan Morrison and Joe Mauer pass through waivers which helps create trade opportunities for the team.
The Minnesota Twins reportedly completed a formality with two of their veteran players who could be trade targets in the month of August for contending teams. According to a report from Mike Berardino of the Pioneer Press, both Logan Morrison and Joe Mauer have cleared waivers. That leaves the Twins now able to negotiate a trade with any major league team.
While these two players are both first baseman, they really couldn’t be in any different of a position when it comes to their role and standing with the Twins. Mauer is the golden boy of Minnesota. First round, number one overall draft pick of the team back in 2001. In the middle of his 15th season for the Twins he has made himself into a high level defender and still has something to provide at the plate as well.
Mauer is batting .275/.357/.367 with a .725 OPS and 17 doubles this season. If it wasn’t for another scare with concussion like symptoms after a dive against the Los Angeles Angels this season it seems very likely his numbers may look better than they do. Yes, Mauer will never have the power numbers most top end first baseman do, but his on base ability is still a great asset to a lineup.
The big thing with Mauer is that he has full no trade rights and the ability to refuse any move presented to him. Even though the Twins have full ability to negotiate a trade for Mauer now it just seems like an improbable scenario. Morrison on the other hand is very tradable if a team would like to have him.
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Morrison was brought in on a one year contract with an option for 2019. With all the first base possibilities available in the minors for the Twins, a possible Mauer return for 2019, and Morrison’s very down season it seems unlikely the Twins will want Morrison back in 2019.
On the right team and in right ball park, Morrison’s power could really play well down the stretch. Especially if what looks like a good approach at the plate begins to turn into good results as well. No team is going to look at Morrison’s slash line of .195/.289/.387 and want that in their lineup. They may look at his 15 home runs and wonder how he may be able to fit into their bench for some power late in games.
The New York Yankees could be an obvious fit for a first baseman. With Greg Bird hitting .223/.313/.425 and Luke Voit only two games into major league action in 2018, either Mauer or Morrison would be an upgrade for a Yankees team with high World Series aspiration. Morrison is pretty much built for a stadium like Yankee stadium. The Philadelphia Phillies could potentially also use Morrison as a bench bat if they would like something different than what they have their already. They don’t need a first baseman with Carlos Santana in that place, but Morrison would be quite the pinch hitter for the pitcher’s spot down the stretch.
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Nothing may happen as far as a Mauer or Morrison trade in the next month. The reality is there are many players that make it through waivers each season and nothing happens with them. Clearing waivers does open up possibilities for the Twins front office. Making a potential trade easier to orchestrate.