MLB Trade Rumors: Pirates acquire 2006 MVP Justin Morneau

After what seems likes years of speculating about Minnesota Twins first baseman Justin Morneau, Pittsburgh Pirates’ general manager Neal Huntington made it happen on Saturday afternoon, acquiring the 2006 American League MVP on the last day of the waiver deadline.

According to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, the Bucs have acquired Morneau in exchange for outfielder Alex Presley and a player to be named later.

Aug 21, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Minnesota Twins first baseman Justin Morneau (33) hits a single in the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

The deal is the second big trade of the week for Huntington who acquired outfielder Marlon Byrd and catcher John Buck from the New York Mets on Tuesday.

Despite Garrett Jones having his best game of the season Friday night against the St. Louis Cardinals, the Pirates desperately needed an upgrade at first base and simply could not keep running Jones and his .240/.297/.423 slash line out there on a daily basis in a pennant race.

While Jones has been a huge disappointment in 2013, hitting a mere .159 in August with a .615 OPS, Morneau, 32, is in the midst of a hot streak after starting the year slowly.

His .836 OPS and nine home runs during the month of August have raised his slash line to .250/.315/.426.

With the Pirates sitting tied for first place in the National League Central on August 31, you can’t blame Huntington for going for it.

Pirates’ fans have been screaming for him to upgrade the offense for months and with the additions of Byrd, Buck and now Morneau, Huntington has delivered.