Twins slugger Justin Morneau has cleared the revocable waiver process, which means he can be traded to any Major League team, according to the Star Tribune.
Should Morneau be traded before Aug. 31, he would be eligible to play in the postseason.
Had Morneau been claimed, the Twins would have had two days to make a deal with that team only — or withdraw the waivers and keep him for the rest of the year.
While putting players on waivers is fairly routine in August, Morneau’s recent power surge might make him more attractive to a contender.
And the fact that he’s now available to any team, might make it easier for GM Terry Ryan to make a deal.
Before the July deadline came and went, Pittsburgh and Baltimore were the most-mentioned teams interested in the Twins’ first baseman.
Morneau is in the final months of a six-year, $80 million contract he signed in January of 2008. Of that, approximately $3.5 million remains to be paid out.
Morneau was in the starting lineup in today’s noon game against Cleveland. With no apparent trade in the works, the Pioneer Press reports he was needled by manager Ron Gardenhire this morning who said: “You’re still here?”
