Justin Morneau gets a lot of questions these days about his future, given that he won't know for sure until Sept. 1 arrives if he'll be a Twin for the rest of the season. But that's not the only future he's contemplated.

One day after a former Most Valuable Player was appointed to run a major league team, Morneau said he wouldn't mind someday following the path of new Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg.

"I've thought about it. I enjoy the [intellectual] part of baseball," said Morneau, a 32-year-old Canadian. "I enjoy talking hitting, talking baseball. I'll never say never, but I hope that's long in the future."

Morneau's current manager says the first baseman has the baseball IQ for the job.

"He's really into the game. He pays attention to baserunning, he pays attention to it all. Morneau's a thinker," said Ron Gardenhire, the only manager Morneau has ever played for in the major leagues. "When he's on the bench, he's noticing things all the time — 'They're not holding that guy, he can get two more steps.' He's always paying attention to at-bats, talking about situations, talking about pitchers."

One thing he and Gardenhire agree on, though: It's unlikely baseball will ever see another player-manager.

"You'd be pulled in too many directions. The manager has so many responsibilities today aside from just running the game," Morneau said. "I know you have a pitching coach, but it's hard to decide to make a pitching change from first base."

As for his near future, Morneau said he is growing more confident that he'll remain in Minnesota for the rest of the season, though there are still two weeks to sweat out.

"I think the only way something would happen now is if someone [on a contending team] gets hurt," Morneau said. "I hope I'm here."

Etc.

• The St. Paul Saints announced that the Twins have purchased the contract of Brad Boyer, a 29-year-old infielder, and assigned him to Class AA New Britain. Boyer, drafted by the Giants in 2006, batted .337 with seven homers in 78 games with the Saints.

• Kohl Stewart, the Twins' first-round draft pick in June, has been promoted from the Gulf Coast League to rookie-league Elizabethton for the rest of the season, General Manager Terry Ryan said.