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Let's take a turn around the interwebs to see what other people who aren't the kind folk of Twinkie Town think of the biggest mid-season free agent signing in franchise history.
- Derek Wetmore of ESPN 1500 says Morales is a "good get," explaining that it shows the Twins are willing to spend, that it's a win-now move that sends a message to the team, and that the organization covets draft picks. Whatever you think of the move, those three points are certainly true.
- Judd Zulgad, also of ESPN 1500, thinks it's an easy upgrade over Jason Kubel. But he also thinks that it's just the first move of a few that need to be made if it is indeed a sign that the front office thinks the team can compete this year.
- Dan Syzmborski (subscription required) calls it "part of a trend" for the Twins, and concludes: "The Twins probably aren't going to scare anybody this summer, but they added the best player available for a reasonable contract, something that's not always easy to do. Morales won't fix the fact that Minnesota only has one starting pitcher better than league-average this year, but he pushes the Twins offense towards respectability while leaving the team's sterling future untouched."
- Jon Tayler of Sports Illustrated thinks it makes Minnesota's offense better, but wonders why the team didn't try to add a legitimate outfielder instead. The answer, of course, is that a league average outfielder who can hit and play defense isn't available in free agency, but of course: yes, it's an issue. But it's a different one.
- Mike Axisa of CBS Sports says Morales makes the Twins better, but acknowledges that it's also not likely to make them good enough to compete for a Wild Card in the long run.
- Yahoo! Sports doesn't think it's a good fantasy match.
- The Yankee machine is spinning it by saying they were never serious about signing Morales. Really? That offense, in more need of a hitter than Minnesota's, not interested in a hitter who could quite easily hook a dozen homers into the right field seats in Yankee Stadium? I don't buy it.
- Ted Schwerzler at Puckett's Pond thinks the pitching is where the real improvement needs to happen if the Twins are going to have any chance to compete this year.