First baseman Justin Morneau is back in the same batting cage preparing for the ‘08 season as one of the Twins’ keystone players. But despite having recently signed a six-year, $80 million contract, Morneau shows no signs of slacking off on his daily spring regimen.

Even with the praise and the large contract, Morneau’s attitude and behavior has not changed.

Improvement might seem like a one sided term for Morneau, who is coming off back-to-back seasons with at least 30 home runs and 100 RBIs. But that is what he wants to see again this season. The 26-year-old points to the fact that last season his average came down nearly 50 points from his 2006 American League MVP season as a reason why he feels that there is still room to improve.

In 2007, Morneau raced to a sweltering start offensively. In the first half he hit .295 with 24 home runs and 74 RBIs, earning his first All-Star bid. But his numbers trailed off in the second half. He hit just .243 after the break with only seven home runs and 37 RBIs.