Tom Powers: Re-signing Joe Mauer will drive Twins' payroll into...

The magic number is a secret. Bill Smith knows what it is. Dave St. Peter knows what it is.

[Petros]

In a market like ours, you've got to sign what you have and develop what you've got. We have: 1) the best catcher in the game, 2) a top-3 Closer, 3) the best 1st baseman in the AL, 4) a solid vet outfielder in Cuddy, and 5) a great young starting rotation that most clubs envy.

So sign Mauer to a LONG term deal and keep developing in the minors.

Or, on the other hand, we could trader Mauer to the BoSox for some stinking prospect who one day might hit .285. Pohlads...this is a no brainer! You need Joe! We need Joe!

[What The]

Baseball needs a salary cap. Should of had one years ago and all this nonsence of players being paid 100,000,000.00 to 250,000,000.00 would not exist ! Baseball has become pathetic ! You will see what happens next year in football if they go the way of baseball no cap ! Dumb aZZ Shnider and hairy Jones will overpay and then you will never get it under control again. I love to watch Mauer but not at 150,000,000.00 200,000,000.00, just crazy it makes me sick !

[junior]

I personally think that the Pohlads are dreading moving into this new stadium. They said for all those years we need a stadium to at least keep our own players! Well you got your wish now keep your promise and sign Mauer! Time to pay up Pohlads!!!

[brachiosaurus]

The Twins, if they are willing to spend the money, are on the cusp of another play-off appearance and another World Series shot. It wouldn't take much, but the Twins will have to fork out not just for Mauer's extension but for that top starting pitcher as well. The Yankees would not have won the World Series and possibly not won their division.

[brachiosaurus]

Missing parts to last message: The Yankees would not have pulled it off without Sabbathia.

[Matt R-New Market]

If it were my money and it obviously is not I would try offering Mauer a 10 year deal in the neighborhood of 20mill per year. Is it possible that they would turn down that offer? Yes it certainly is. The reason I say 10 years is the following. He will be 27 at the end of his last year in his contract. He is in his prime in other words. If you go and offer a 5 year deal at say 22 a year or so you have 110 million invested in him. Then he is 32 at the end of his next contract. At that point in time he may dh/ play a different defensive position. At that point in time you still have a guy that will be a very hot commodity. 32 is not 40. If you move him from catching in his early 30's he can last a long time (one would think). He would probably still command around 20 million AT LEAST when he is 32. At that point in time if you offered him another 5 yr deal or so that would take him very close to retirement. Some may say at 32 offer him a 3 yr deal or so. We saw how well that worked with Hunter. Offer a 10 year deal and you should have him for the remainder of his career. If that is the intention of the organization I believe that is the way to do it. Just my 2 cents worth-not quite worth 200,000,000 but I thought I would throw it out there.

[Gods messenger]

The Mauer situation works out perfectly for the Twins.
A. Mauer asks to be paid roughly fair market and the Twins pretend to make an offer - 85 % of market value and 4 years instead of 6-7.
B. Mauer turns down the Twins and they have a villain for the fans to hate.
C. Trade Mauer and go in the tank.
D. Trade Morneau, Cuddyer and Nathan because they just aren't competing anymore, cutting payroll to about 50 million.
E. SELL HOPE WITH THE NEW PLAYERS AND RAKE IN MONEY FROM ALL THE FANS WHO WANT TO SEE THE NEW STADIUM.

Remember, those poor Twins were the 6th most profitable franchise last year and 9th most the year before.

[Conservative Conviction]

Petros wrote:

In a market like ours, you've got to sign what you have and develop what you've got. We have: 1) the best catcher in the game, 2) a top-3 Closer, 3) the best 1st baseman in the AL, 4) a solid vet outfielder in Cuddy, and 5) a great young starting rotation that most clubs envy.
So sign Mauer to a LONG term deal and keep developing in the minors.
Or, on the other hand, we could trader Mauer to the BoSox for some stinking prospect who one day might hit .285. Pohlads...this is a no brainer! You need Joe! We need Joe!

"In a market like ours." Whatever happened to priorities? Joe Mauer is not impacted by "Our market." He is rich from playing a GAME.

[rube2]

Gods messenger wrote:

The Mauer situation works out perfectly for the Twins.
A. Mauer asks to be paid roughly fair market and the Twins pretend to make an offer - 85 % of market value and 4 years instead of 6-7.
B. Mauer turns down the Twins and they have a villain for the fans to hate.
C. Trade Mauer and go in the tank.
D. Trade Morneau, Cuddyer and Nathan because they just aren't competing anymore, cutting payroll to about 50 million.
E. SELL HOPE WITH THE NEW PLAYERS AND RAKE IN MONEY FROM ALL THE FANS WHO WANT TO SEE THE NEW STADIUM.
Remember, those poor Twins were the 6th most profitable franchise last year and 9th most the year before.

check out the pohlads wealth on forbes richest americans list. they will do what makes them the most money - all else be dammed

[oakman]

he will look good in a yankees uniform

[Conservative observations]

The Twins will not sign Mauer, of course, although they will continue to spin (they have already begun doing that) the matter as if they are doing everything that they can to sign him. Then, consistent with their past history on such matters, they will let us know that in spite o f their best efforts, they just didn't think that they could afford to pay Mauer his market price and are moving on. Kind of predictable but it will be fun the watch the story unfold over the next year and the spin that the Twins put on it. They are and always will be a .500 team with or without Mauer and that is sufficient for the owners.

[Adios]

Get used to him as a Yankee. Best career move for him also. The rubes will still follow and pay blindly for whatever garbage is put on the field.

[theleftweakensus]

If Mauer signs with Hell's farm team (the Yankees), I will never watch another baseball game as long as I live.

[XD40 Fan]

This whole conversation will make for great talk at Neumann's Bar in North St. Paul all winter. One thing's for sure... The Twins will make the first pitch, but Mauer won't swing.

[Adios]

theleftweakensus wrote:

If Mauer signs with Hell's farm team (the Yankees), I will never watch another baseball game as long as I live.

Enjoy all those exciting soccer games. I am sure you will be missed deeply.

[The Dome Dog]

But hey, we'll still have Punto and his 4.5 mil per year! Woohoo! Punto for MVP!

(just threw up a little bit in my mouth)

[rodobondo]

Let him go. There really has to be a salary cap. I will never pay to go see any sports game. The money is a big joke and so are MN teams. The Gophers with their problems are a embarrasement. The Vikings will be gkoing to LA, so what. Let Mauer go.

[Joe Stebo]

I get most of the stuff here, but I never understood the trashing of Nick Punto. He strikes me as a guy with average MLB talent who works hard, keeps his head in the game, and inspires his teammates. Contrast those attributes with our underachieving LF and I don't quite get why the blasts are directed at Punto. I guess we all see things differently.

[Kid Vicious]

The word is getting out there...the Twins are NOT a small market team! I've been tellin' people that fact for years but the propaganda has been so strong that few believed it. Seligs contraction threat solidified the myth even more.

The Pohlads have used the "small market" crutch for 25 years, glad the truth is being exposed.

Pohlads, spend some of your moldy money or get rid of the team to someone that will.

That is all.

[C Racker Jack]

Not to worry. The Twins will cut that POS Punto and save $4 million and trade choking Nathan and save $12 million.