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The Colorado Rockies official Twitter announced Thursday afternoon that the team has declined Justin Morneau‘s mutual option, making the veteran a free-agent.
We saw this one coming with Morneau, who was limited to just 49 games last season with the club. The 34-year-old hit at a clip of .310/.363/.458 with 10 doubles, three triples, three home runs and 15 RBI’s. Even though Morneau spent most of the 2015 campaign sidelined, one thing he proved is that he can still swing it.
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I’m guessing many Rockies’ fans alike are questioning this move. Well, the mutual option for Morneau was apart of his two-year, $12.5 million contract he signed in the offseason of 2013. The two-year deal included a mutual option for the 2016 season — a $9 million option that is. Colorado, given their assets on offense already, weren’t going to take that risk as they have other areas they need to focus on, such as the rotation and bullpen which needs heavy retooling,
Morneau was a treat to watch in the Mile High City during his two-year stint with the club, hitting .316/.363/.487 with 42 doubles, six triples, 20 home runs and 97 RBI’s. There were many doubts around the baseball stratosphere surrounding Morneau’s ability to produce following his signing with the Rockies prior to the 2014 season, basically because of his concussion symptoms he suffers to this day.
Morneau proved the doubters wrong, hitting at a line of .319/.364/.496 with 32 doubles, 17 home runs, 82 RBI’s in 135 games in 2014. Not to mention, the former Minnesota Twins All-Star went on to win the National League Batting Title that season, basically the lone highlight of Colorado’s season if you will.
There’s no doubt in my mind Morneau will catch on with another club this season, whether it’s a contender or not. I would think it would be only right if Morneau caught back on with his former team, the Minnesota Twins, seeing they have the young and talent to make it to the postseason.
Best of luck to Justin moving forward!