Giving Credit where Credit is Due

I’ve been pretty hard on Carl Pohlad over the past few months (and years). Some of it was deserved, some was venting frustration at the old, rich guy – and why not, like he cares or even knows what I think.

Well, today is a good day. We know our 26-year-old, former MVP first baseman will be with the Twins long after they begin play in Taxpayer Park in 2010. As has been well publicized, Morneau’s deal lasts 6 years and pays him a paltry $80 million – big time, even for a small market team (let’s hope for his sake, he gets paid in Canadian dollars).

The cash flow didn’t stop there, Pohlad shelled out $24 million for three years (with an option for a 4th year that could push the deal to $33.5 million) for Michael Cuddyer, who will be 29 on opening day. And just by coincidence, the deals were announced moments before TwinsFest began. Go Figure?

With all of the negativity surrounding the Johan Santana situation, this gives Twins fans a reason to rejoice as the team heads into spring training. There was genuine concern (at least on my part) that we would be watching the team shop Morneau to the highest, low bidding Big Market Team in two years, when the slugger became free agent eligible. Now, we will get a the opportunity to watch the still budding star take aim at the Twins single season power records for the foreseeable future.