Morneau deal gives Twins fans hope

Jan 26, 2008 - 12:44 AM By Carl Carchia PA SportsTicker Staff Writer

The Minnesota Twins are not to be mistaken with the New York Yankees when it comes to payroll, but there are some exceptions.

Case in point - 2006 American League Most Valuable Player Justin Morneau.

Parting from their fiscally conservative ways, the Twins on Friday locked up their star first baseman to a six-year, $80 million contract.

The Minneapolis Star-Tribune reported that the deal is the longest and richest contract in Twins history.

It is an uncharacteristic move for Minnesota, which is notorious for letting star players seek big paydays elsewhere. But Friday's announcement clearly indicated the Twins' commitment to Morneau, one of the game's top young power hitters.

General manager Bill Smith, who also gave outfielder Michael Cuddyer a three-year, $24 million extension, said the Twins are not becoming free spenders.

Morneau had been negotiating a long-term contract with the Twins since last winter, settling for one-year deals in each of the past two years to avoid salary arbitration.

Just seven days ago, Morneau signed a one-year deal worth $7.5 million - a considerable raise from the $4.5 million he made in 2007.

A native of New Westminster, British Columbia, Morneau hit .321 with 34 home runs and 121 RBI 2006, beating out Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter for the MVP. The 26-year-old had somewhat of a down year in 2007 average-wise, hitting just .271.

However, Morneau's power numbers were on par with his MVP season, as he belted 31 home runs and drove in 111 runs in 157 games.

The news of Morneau's extension has to be music to the ears of Twins fans, especially after the team let popular center fielder Torii Hunter leave in free agency this offseason.

Minnesota was near the bottom of the sport in terms of payroll last year at $71.5 million. Then the Twins sat back as Hunter signed a five-year, $90 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on November 23.

Morneau's new deal also was finalized in the midst of the ongoing trade rumors surrounding ace lefthander Johan Santana, who is a free agent at the end of the 2008 season.

Santana likely will be in another uniform one way or another since the lefthander already turned down a four-year, $80 contract extension.

Questions also surround the future of All-Star closer Joe Nathan, who had his option picked up by the team in October.

Still, despite being a small-market team, the Twins have consistently found a way to compete. Minnesota, which rallied from 10 1/2 games back in August to win the American League Central in 2006, has won four of the last six division titles.

But the Twins have only made one ALCS appearance in that span, falling to the eventual champion Anaheim Angels in 2002.

On an ever-changing roster, Friday's announcement ensures one thing - Morneau will have plenty of chances to help Minnesota break through and reach its first World Series since 1991.