The Minnesota Twins are unlikely to trade All-Star slugger Justin Morneau before trade deadline, but the former American League MVP will eventually clear waivers and move on with another team in August.
USA Today MLB columnist Bob Nightingale reported on his Twitter account that Morneau will stay put as trade period entered its final hours but all indications pointing at possible breakup between the slugger and the Twins next month.
Morneau and the Twins have been trying to work out a contract extension for the past few weeks, but the two camps are still in a stalemate over that matter.
Morneau is batting .262 with 8 homers and 53 RBIs this season for the Twins (45-58), who are currently 14 games behind AL Central leader Detroit Tigers (60-45).
Nightingale also posted updates about the Cleveland Indians' pursuit of a starter after failing to land Matt Garza a week ago.
The Indians, currently 2.5 games behind the Tigers in the AL Central race, have already acquired Marc Rzepczynski from St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday, but the ballclub is still looking to add more quality hurlers before the deadline.
The Tribe have showed some interest on Houston Astros starting pitcher Bud Norris, though nothing is imminent.
The biggest development at the moment is the trade that sent starter Ian Kennedy to the San Diego Padres in exchange for reliever Joe Thatcher, relief prospect Matt Stites and a draft pick between the second and third rounds.
Kennedy, the 2011 National League wins leader, went 3-8 with a 5.23 ERA and 108 strikeouts this season for the Diamondbacks, who will have a useful left-handed specialist in Thatcher.
The D-Backs (54-52) are still in the hunt for the top spot in the NL West standings, just 3.5 games behind the streaking Los Angeles Dodgers (57-48).
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