Rockies Sign Justin Morneau

Oct 6, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Justin Morneau hits an infield single against the St. Louis Cardinals in game three of the National League divisional series playoff baseball game at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

It is official, pending a physical, the Colorado Rockies announced Tuesday night that they have come to terms with former AL MVP Justin Morneau on a two-year deal, worth $13-million dollars, per Troy Renck of the Denver Post. Last season, Morneau would hit .259/.323/.411, adding 17 home runs and batted .280 with a .352 on-base percentage against right-handers. He was traded by the Minnesota Twins to the Pittsburgh Pirates at the trade-deadline last season.

The Rockies ended up trading outfielder Dexter Fowler to the Houston Astros earlier in the day in return for RHP Jordan Lyles and OF Brandon Barnes in a salary dump to sign Morneau. Morneau will be taking over a position that has been voided by Rockies legend Todd Helton. Helton would retire at the end of the 2013 season after spending 17 seasons with the Colorado Rockies. This means the Rockies plan on keeping Cuddyer in right field, and moving Carlos Gonzalez over to center.

Morneau should receive a boost in production playing in the hitter-friendly Coors Field, as his numbers have gone down in the last three years due to injuries. Morneau is 32-years-old and has played in 11 major league seasons, accounting for 221 home runs and 863 runs batted in.

So what does the line-up look like? Well, the Rockies can scrabble it however they want, but this is how I see the line-up with the current roster:

1: Charlie Blackmon – LF

2: DJ LeMahieu – 2B

3: Carlos Gonzalez – CF

4: Troy Tulowitzki – SS

5: Michael Cuddyer – RF

6: Wilin Rosario – C

7: Nolan Arenado – 3B

8: Justin Morneau – 1B

9: Pitcher’s Spot – P

There are different ways they could look at this line-up, but this is how I see it.