Via Buster Olney: The Yankees are not discussing a possible waiver trade involving Justin Morneau with the Twins. Darren Wolfson hears New York is monitoring the slugger though, and they figure to do that right up until August 31st. Players have to be in the organization by that date to be eligible for the playoff roster, no exceptions.
Morneau, 32, cleared trade waivers earlier this month according to Mike Berardino, so he can be dealt to any team now. He’s owned approximately $3.5M for the rest of the year and will become a free agent for the first time this winter. The lefty-swinging Morneau is hitting .269/.322/.434 (107 wRC+) with 15 homers overall this season, but he’s been a monster in August: 158 wRC+ and seven homers.
The Yankees could use Morneau as a powerful part-time first baseman/part-time DH down the stretch, and fitting him onto the roster won’t be too big of an issue with September call-ups looming. They should probably focus on adding a starting pitcher (Dan Haren?) more than a bat right now, but every little upgrade matters at this point. Morneau would be useful in some capacity.
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