MLB Winter Meetings: Twins 'gauge interest' in Justin Morneau

The Minnesota Twins have contacted other teams regarding possible interest in first baseman Justin Morneau, Roch Kubatko of MASN reports. The Baltimore Orioles are among the teams that Minnesota has reached out to for possible trade talks about the former MVP.

With the free agent market proving to be particularly expensive, Morneau could prove to be a reasonable alternative if the Twins are wiling to eat some of the $14 million that's owed to him through next season. The short one-year commitment could presumably appeal to teams looking to avoid long-term deals.

During the middle of a huge season in 2010, Morneau suffered a concussion on a pitch to the head and he's never quite been the same. He missed the remainder of that season and most of the 2011 season, struggling badly when he was able to play.

2012 was much kinder to Morneau, though, as he appeared in 134 games. No longer an elite bat like before, he still hit a solid .267/.333/.440 with 19 homers, flashing some of the skill that made him so potent in the past. And at the age of 31, he could still have some good years in him as he gets further away from the concussion that stunted his career.