Twins re-sign MVP Morneau for 1 season
The reigning American League MVP will be staying put for one more season, as Canadian Justin Morneau agreed to a one-year, $4.5-million US contract with the Minnesota Twins on Friday.
The agreement wasmidway between the $5 million US that Morneau asked for, and the $4 million US the Twins offered. New Westminster’s Justin Morneau will try and duplicate his MVP numbers with the Minnesota Twins in 2007.
(Ann Heisenfelt/Associated Press)
Morneau, 25, hit .321 last season with 34 homers and 130 RBIs, propelling the Twins to the American League Central title. Those numbers were also good enough for the native of New Westminster, B.C., to win the American League MVP award by 14 points over New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter.
Minnesota also settled its salary arbitration cases with third baseman Nick Punto and outfielder Lew Ford. Punto agreed to a two-year, $4.2 million US contract, and Ford received a one-year deal worth $985,000 US.
Punto, who hit .290 with 47 RBIs and 17 steals for the Twins, will get $1.8 million US this season and $2.4 million US in 2008. He asked for $2.1 million US and wasoffered $1.6 million US.
Ford was used primarily as a backup last year and hit .226 with 18 RBIs in 234 at-bats. In addition to his base salary, he could earn $65,000 US in various performance bonuses. Ford asked for $1.3 million US and wasoffered $800,000 US.
The Twins still have some work to do, as American League batting champion Joe Mauer, third baseman Michael Cuddyer and pitcher Juan Rincon all are scheduled for salary arbitration hearings this month. With files from the Associated Press