PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Pirates are all-in as they chase the franchises first playoff appearance in 21 years. San Francisco 49ers Jerseys . Pittsburgh traded for longtime Minnesota Twins first baseman Justin Morneau on Saturday, hoping the four-time All Star can give the Pirates middling offence a jolt heading into the final month of the season. "We felt that this move gives us a better chance to play in October, a better chance to win the division, a better chance to advance in October," Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said. The Twins obtained outfielder Alex Presley and either a player to be named or cash in Pittsburghs second major move in a week. The Pirates sent a pair of minor leaguers to the New York Mets on Tuesday in exchange for outfielder Marlon Byrd and catcher John Buck. "Weve got more depth, weve got more options than we had four days ago," Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle said. "Were a better team. Were a stronger team." Pittsburgh entered Saturday tied with St. Louis atop the NL Central with 29 games remaining. The Pirates have been in contention all season thanks in large part to a pitching staff currently second in the majors with a 3.17 ERA. Morneaus presence could have an immediate impact on an offence that ranks 10th in the NL in runs. The 32-year-old New Westminster, B.C., native hit .259 with 17 homers and 74 RBIs this season for Minnesota and is finishing off a red-hot month in which he smacked nine home runs. "I think hes found some ways to spark some things offensively in the second half," Hurdle said. The Pirates will pick up the remaining portion of Morneaus $14 million salary, estimated at around $2 million. Its not an insignificant investment for an ownership group that has sometimes shied away from paying the tab for proven players. Yet with Pittsburgh on the cusp of its first winning season since 1992, Huntington worked aggressively after the non-waiver trade deadline to give the Pirates the pieces they need to remain in a tight three-team divisional race with St. Louis and Cincinnati. "We made Clints job a little bit easier," Huntington said. "Hes got a number of weapons at his disposal now." While Huntington believes hell be "mocked" for thinking the Pirates are true World Series contenders, he and Hurdle made a compelling case to Morneau, who had to OK the trade that ends a sometimes spectacular 11 seasons in Minnesota. Morneau won the 2006 AL MVP award and was one of the best hitters in the game until a concussion knocked him out of action in 2010. Still, he remained one of the cornerstones of the Twins clubhouse. His departure is another emotional low point in a disappointing season. "I have great respect for Morny," Minnesota manager Ron Gardenhire said. "He was our leader. He set the table. If there was something that needed to be said, he stepped up." While Morneaus numbers have tailed off the last three years, his power should play better at PNC Park compared to cavernous Target Field. Its just 320 feet from home plate to the right-field wall at PNC, an inviting target for left-handed sluggers. The Pirates had Morneaus No. 36 jersey ready minutes after the trade was announced and Hurdle held out hope Morneau would make it to the clubhouse in time for Saturday nights game against the Cardinals. Whenever Morneau arrives, hell give a club reaching heights not seen in a generation another proven bat and more than an ounce of legitimacy. And hell do it while taking away at-bats from longtime friend Garrett Jones. Jones has spent most of the season platooning with Gaby Sanchez at first and broke out of a lengthy slump by going 3 for 4 with a home run and four RBIs in Pittsburghs 5-0 win over the Cardinals on Friday. Now hell likely be moved to the bench or spot duty in the outfield. Playing behind Morneau is nothing new for Jones. He was a prospect in Minnesotas farm system for years but couldnt break into the majors on a regular basis with Morneau entrenched at first. Jones called Morneau "a friend" and understands why the Pirates pursued him. Until Friday, Jones was hitting just .119 in August. "When were winning and we know we can get a good player, sometimes youve got to suck it up and know whats best for the team," Jones said. "Hopefully I can still continue to get in there and play and contribute." Tarvarius Moore 49ers Jersey . Louis Cardinals continued their offensive tear with a 9-5 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers in the opener of a four-game series. Jimmie Ward Jersey . Trailing by a goal after 20 minutes of play, Joe Pavelski responded with three goals and an assist as the Sharks snapped a two-game losing skid with a 5-2 victory over the struggling Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday. http://www.49ersfootballpro.com/49ers-Fred-Warner-Jersey/ .com) - His team lost in the round of 16 of the FCS playoffs, yet Northern Iowa football coach Mark Farley says his team has made a strong case to be voted to the top 5 in the final rankings.ANAHEIM – Short of swinging a bat himself, which at this point in his life is less than advisable, manager John Gibbons can only do so much to try to rest more offence out of his injury-depleted, slumping lineup. With Nolan Reimold, claimed off waivers from Baltimore on Sunday, playing right field at Angel Stadium on Monday night, Gibbons is piecing together a series of platoons that he can only hope will be as effective as the Brett Lawrie-Juan Francisco-Steve Tolleson experiment was in May. These arent long-term fixes either. Gibbons surely knows it. But Edwin Encarnacion (quadriceps strain) and Brett Lawrie (fractured right index finger) are on the disabled list and there are no fewer than six outfielders on the active 25-man roster. The skipper gets creative. "Until Jose (Bautista) goes back out to right well give Reimold the everyday at-bats out there," said manager John Gibbons. "Gillespie, hell platoon with (Adam Lind), see what he can do with lefties. Then, were going to start platooning Rasmus in centre a little bit with Mastroianni until he gets going." The Blue Jays scored four runs in four games in Oakland, all losses. The clubs calling card, the home run, all but dried up, with only Steve Tolleson going yard in the final inning of the final game, which closed the deficit to two in a 4-2 loss. Jose Bautista is playing with a sore hamstring and Adam Lind isnt back to full health after fouling a ball off his right foot last month in Baltimore. Theres been plenty of thought given to recalling catcher Erik Kratz from Triple-A Buffalo, though expect that to happen at some point soon. "Wed like to get him back," said Gibbons. Weston Richburg 49ers Jersey. "If we could put it all together where he fits; he could help us. He helped us while he was here. I think hed be a big addition." Reimolds been through the ringer with two neck fusion surgeries. The problem started, he believes, during a game in Chicago in April, 2012. He was playing leftfield for Baltimore when he went careening into the stands chasing down a fly ball. He somersaulted over the barricade. His neck snapped. He finished the game. Reimold woke up the next morning with a knot in his back. Later that day, at the ballpark, a trainer worked out the kink. However, the problem persisted and less than two weeks later, his season was over. He underwent spinal fusion surgery. The procedure didnt take and after appearing briefly for the Orioles in 2013, he was back under the knife for a corrective second surgery. Reimold hasnt played in the big leagues this season, having appeared in 17 games for Baltimores Double-A affiliate in Bowie, Maryland, as he worked his way back into game shape. "I think Ive got a lot left to give, even with these injuries," said Reimold, now 30. "I think that I never got the opportunity to reach my potential because I definitely got derailed with these injuries so those are all behind me, in the past, and Im just looking forward to the future and getting out on the field again." Reimold is a right-handed batter. In 1,056 career plate appearances, hes a .252/.327/.439 hitter with 41 home runs. Hell get a look in Toronto, beyond when Bautista returns to his normal spot in right field. "Well wait until it happens," said Gibbons. "We got him because we like him so theres a place for him somewhere." 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