Twins Marry Justin Morneau

My Canadian Crusher, Justin Morneau and the Minnesota Twins have finally taken the plunge, tying the knot on a six-year, $80 million deal Friday. Chalk that up to the longest and richest contract in franchise history, and you have yourself one pumped up slugger.

The 26-year-old lumberjack first baseman, who reportedly turned down a four-year, $33 million offer from the Twins last winter, settled on arbitration after signing a one-year deal worth $7.5 million a week ago. Morneau hit .271 with 31 homers and 111 RBIs in 2007, a year after winning the AL MVP award.

The Twins also signed cannon-armed right fielder Michael Cuddyer to a three-year, $24 million deal, including a club option for 2011. Cuddy, who may see some time in center, hit .276 with 16 longballs and 81 RBIs over 144 games last season - his seventh with the organization.

Obviously, this begs the question, will Minnesota still be able to afford to lock up Johan Santana for the six years he demands? All offseason, rumors have flown that the two-time Cy Young Award winner is seeking a long-term commitment worth upwards of $140 million. The Twins reportedly made Santana a four-year, $80 million offer, which doesn't quite cut it.

But GM Bill Smith is confident these two most recent deals will not affect negotiations with Johan, offering this comforting quote:

"We've had extensive negotiations with Santana. Our goal is always to keep him in a Twins uniform. If we can, we will. If we can't, we'll move forward."

[MLB]