Pirates trade for Justin Morneau

The Pittsburgh Pirates in “all-in” mode, have struck a deal to acquire Minnesota Twins first baseman Justin Morneau. Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reports Alex Presley will be going the other way.

Morneau due about $2.5 million for the rest of the season, is hitting .259/.315/.426 with 17 home runs and 74 RBIs.

The Pirates had been kicking the tires on Morneau for weeks and the acquisition means an even lesser role for Garrett Jones who was the offensive catalyst last night driving in 4 runs.

Morneau is hitting .281 with 15 home runs and 58 RBIs vs righties. Jones is batting .251/.305/.444 with 13 home runs and 47 RBIs vs righties.

Morneau has 10 home runs since the All-Star break, tied for 4th in MLB. Where Morneau fits in the lineup remains to be seen but it likely won’t be in the cleanup spot where he’s hit extremely well this season, hitting .282/.342/.476 with 12 home runs and 50 RBIs in 294 at-bats when batting 4th.