Report: New York Yankees Are Not Interested in Slugger Justin Morneau

August 29, 2013   ·   Kenny DeJohn   ·   Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees

The New York Yankees are still searching for a bit more pop for the stretch run, but Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports that general manager Brian Cashman is not interested in former American League MVP Justin Morneau.

In fact, Heyman cites that the Pittsburgh Pirates could be looking to add the Minnesota Twins slugger. After already acquiring Marlon Byrd and John Buck from the New York Mets this week, general manager Neal Huntington is still looking to make a splash for his team.

Sure, the Yankees have been without a right-handed platoon candidate to go alongside Lyle Overbay all season long. While he has been solid offensively, his .229 average against lefties leaves much to be desired. Mark Reynolds has played better of late, but his do-or-die tendencies at the plate aren’t always the best option for teams in contention for the playoffs.

Morneau is a lefty bat, but his splits against southpaws aren’t half bad. He’s hitting .292/.324/.491 in 106 at-bats against them with four home runs and 22 RBI. While it’s easy to understand Cashman’s qualms about acquiring yet another lefty bat, it is unreasonable for him to be unwilling to work out a deal.

The Canadian MVP winner is scheduled to be a free agent after the season, and making him a rental player for the stretch run wouldn’t hurt the Yankees’ young crop of players. If the Yankees could offer the Twins nearly all of the remaining $14 million of his 2013 salary, then a deal could be agreed upon.

Should the Twins seek even more, a low-A prospect could be thrown in. Or, a player to be named later would make sense.

The Yankees are a bat (and some consistent pitching) away from making a surprise run at the playoffs over the final month of the season. Acquiring Morneau could help in that endeavor.

Read more New York Yankees news on BleacherReport.com

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