Rockies first baseman Justin Morneau is on the verge of winning the National League batting title. (The Associated Press)
First baseman Justin Morneau is still a member of the Rockies, despite the Milwaukee Brewers’ attempt to obtain him.
, The Brewers, leaders of the National League Central, won the waiver claim on Morneau, but were unable to work out a trade with the Rockies.
According to Heyman, the Brewers made an offer of unknown players to the Rockies, but the Rockies apparently didn’t believe it was good enough value to trade Morneau.
Morneau, in the first year of a two-year contract with the Rockies, leads the National League in hitting with a .317 average. He’s also hit 14 home runs with 69 RBI and an .857 OPS. He’s fielded first base at a Gold Glove level.
with Colorado last winter. He’s making $5 million this season, $6.75 million in 2015 with a $9 million mutual option for 2016. The option can be voided with a $750,000 buyout.
Morneau also was due to make an additional $500,000 this season if he reaches 550 at-bats and finishes the season on the active 25-man roster. There are also contract boosts for finishing in the top-10 in the MVP voting. Morneau also has a clause in his contract that he must be paid a $375,000 assignment bonus if traded.
Morneau, who played most of his career with Minnesota, was traded to Pittsburgh at the end of August last season as the Pirates made their run to the postseason.
The Brewers have been using Lyle Overbay and Mark Reynolds at first base. Overbay is hitting .247 and Reynolds .201 (though with a team-leading 21 home runs).
Tags: Justin Morneau, Lyle Overbay, Mark Renolds
