Pros and cons: Justin Morneau a good fit for A's?

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Justin Morneau has quite a decorated resume from his 13-year major league career.

However, in this winter’s free agent market, the former MVP first baseman gets lost in the shuffle among younger and healthier hitters expected to land flashy multi-year contracts.

Morneau, 34, shapes up as a relative bargain-signing for some team – an experienced left-handed hitter with pop who can probably be had on a one-year deal because of repeated concussion issues.

The British Columbia native made a healthy return in September with Colorado, and he’s just one season removed from a National League batting title in 2014. He would be a nice fit for a team looking for a lefty hitter who can be used at first base or designated hitter.

Could that team wear green and gold?

As the offseason continues to unfold, we’ll hand-pick some free agents and analyze the plusses and minuses of the A’s adding them. First up is Morneau, a four-time All-Star who rose to the ranks of the game’s elite early in his career with the Minnesota Twins.

PRO: The back of his baseball card speaks for itself. Morneau was the 2006 AL MVP, he finished runner-up in 2008 and he’s won two Silver Slugger awards in addition to his four All-Star appearances. Morneau is a .282 career hitter with 241 career home runs. Although he hasn’t reached 20 homers or driven in more than 82 runs since 2009, he hit .319 with 32 doubles as recently as 2014 with the Rockies, who declined a mutual option on Morneau in October.

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There’s no doubt the A’s could use another impact middle-of-the-order bat. Their .395 slugging percentage ranked 14th out of 15 AL clubs in 2015. And consider that Josh Reddick led Oakland with 77 RBI this past season, the first time since 2010 they didn’t have a hitter reach 80.

CON: Morneau suffered his third concussion, and a case of whiplash, while diving for a ground ball in May and missed the next three months. He also had concussions in both 2010 and 2011. That’s reason for concern regarding his own health, and it raises a warning flag for any team considering signing him. He played in just 49 games last season. The A’s used the disabled list 23 times last year, tied for second most in Oakland history. Do they want to take on a player who’s a potential health risk? How much production can Morneau be counted on for?

PRO: Considering that Billy Butler failed to meet expectations in the first season of his three-year contract, Morneau could serve as a solid DH option when he’s not playing first base. He would represent a nice platoon fit for the right-handed hitting Butler. Morneau is a lifetime .297 hitter against right-handed pitching with an .893 on base-plus-slugging. Butler, over his career, is a .302 hitter (.887 OPS) against lefties, although he did struggle mightily versus southpaws in 2015. At any rate, both players’ career numbers suggest some shared DH duties might be beneficial.

CON: With Morneau on the roster and possibly taking playing time at first base, what would that mean for Mark Canha? He led AL rookies with 70 RBI last season, and there’s a case that Canha should just be left alone to play first base everyday as he continues his development. Because Canha also can play left field, the A’s may feel comfortable adding another first baseman. But don’t forget about Coco Crisp, who slots in as the starting left fielder if he returns healthy for 2016. After the promise Canha showed, limiting his playing time may not be the wisest thing.

FOR IT TO HAPPEN … the A’s have to be OK with two players on the roster (Butler, Morneau) who are strictly first base/DH types. That’s not ideal for a club that emphasizes versatility and flexibility with its position players. The A’s might prefer to keep a spot open for a utility player who can play multiple infield positions as well as the outfield, whether that’s an outside acquisition or someone in-house such as Tyler Ladendorf. Also remember, the arbitration-eligible Ike Davis remains in the mix right now. Should the A’s add Morneau, it surely means Davis gets non-tendered or traded.

PREDICTION: Morneau is a veteran who is past his prime, but one who would still appear to have something left in the tank when healthy. Those concussion issues should make him available on a one-year deal. Put it all together, and he fits the profile of a typical A’s free agent target. Morneau would add a legitimate threat to the lineup – a hitter who puts pitchers on alert simply by stepping into the batter’s box. He’ll attract attention from other teams looking for left-handed power at a bargain rate. On a one-year deal in the $5-to-7 million range, expect the A’s to show interest and perhaps make a play for Morneau.

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