Morneau Traded?

The Rockies wasted no time using the payroll flexibility they created to move close to a two-year deal with free-agent first baseman and New Westminster product Justin Morneau.

A Major League source told MLB.com that the Rockies and Morneau were in serious talks that were progressing, but they had not reached an agreement. Media reports placed the potential two-year deal at $13 million.

The Rockies traded Dexter Fowler along with his $7.35 million salary to the Astros have yet to make an official announcement, but all reports is the deal is done.

Morneau (32) is expected to take over for the recently retired Todd Helton, or so reports state.

Morneau who was on of the Major’s best hitting first basemen has spent most of his career before he suffered a concussion in 2010 and d then struggled with injuries through the 2011season.

Last season, he hit (combined) .259 with 17 homers and 77 RBIs with the Twins and Pirates combined.

He played 152 regular-season games plus six playoff games with the Pirates and all combined that was a definite sign that he seemed to regain his health.

The Rockies believe that he (Morneau) can help their plan to increase the number of at-bats for catcher Wilin Rosario.

Morneau a left-hander hit .280 with a .819 OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage) against RHP (right-handed pitchers) but only batted .207 with a .525 OPS against LHP (left-handers) in 2013.

The defending National League batting champion Michael Cuddyer and a teammate  of Morneau (with the Twins) will play in right field but can adjust to play first base, but only on a limited time basis.

Morneau is an overall career .277 hitter with 221 home runs and 863 RBIs while with the Twins (2003-13) and Pirates (2013).

He was the American League Most Valuable Player in 2006 and finished second in the voting in 2008.

Could this be the start of a new beginning for the New Westminster product?