Minnesota Twins are ready to reward Joe Mauer

The last time we caught up with Joe Mauer he was cleaning out his Metrodome locker for the last time, the day after the New York Yankees swept his Minnesota Twins out of the postseason.

[Feces Occurs]

Is it true they offerd Joe all the proceeds from the moving sale?

[brachiosaurus]

It's good to hear to get a few words from Mauer, especially regarding the Hardy trade. It might make contract negotiations easier.

The Twins are again without a legitimate no. 2 hitter since it's unlikely that Cabrera is coming back with Hardy on board. Hardy doesn't appear to have the speed to bat second, and it looks as if he strikes out a bit much. Will the Twins try to sign Crede again? The Twins seem to be moving away from speed toward power.

The starting rotation is the other thing. Is Pavano worth trying to sign? He is a good pitcher but perhaps not the ace that the Twins need.

[Go_Ponies]

C'mon Joe - refuse to sign any extension until they trade for Roy Halliday.

[dr izzill]

Why was the artical about Nathan Tow-Arnett beating on a woman Halloween night been pulled??? The IN STATE sport scene at our public institution of higher learning has become disgracefull for this OUT STATE resident. When the house stinks this bad it has to be cleaned!

[TC Fla]

Sign, Joe, sign!

[No Brainer]

They'd better reward him! He's the best-hitting catcher in MLB history. You don't let a young player like that get away, no matter how much he costs.

[Kid Vicious]

Mauer aint worth 25 mil.

Trade Morneau.

[Matt R]

When will they quit the 'wait and see approach'? They did it with Hunter-gone, they did it with Santana-gone. If you know you want a guy long term why does the front office/ownership wait until the final year of player's contract. If they have say 2 left on a deal if you offer a 3 or year extension essentially you are saying 'hey we want you here for the next 5-6 years'. The longer you wait the more expensive it gets. Santana and Hunter said that before they entered the final year of their respective deals. NOT to be arrogant etc. rather, they were saying 'if we have good/career years it will cost you BIGTIME' because that is what the market will dictate. Hunter was offered an additional 45 million from the Angels, off the top of my head I do not recall how much more Santana was offered by the Mets but it was substantial. Can it be viewed as greed on their part by some? Yes, you can make that argument. However you can not blame them for taking the money. This waiting with Mauer will cost the franchise more money that they could have used to sign a big name free agent which is what the core group on this team wants to see and they know they need to compete with the Yankees, Angels, Red Sox etc.

[TC Fla]

The Twins really need to get this done. If they let Mauer walk away after next year, it will significantly shorten the honeymoon period they will get with the new stadium.

This situation is different than with Hunter or Santana, and even slightly different than when Kirby Puckett was a free agent in 1992. Joe is "one of us". There could be a huge backlash if they don't resign the hometown kid. Not many fans would blame Mauer for leaving if the Twins don't make a competitive offer. The "hometown discount" will continue to shrink the longer they wait. If they wait until after next season, it could disapper completely.

[Wow]

If the Twins don't sign Mauer, I refuse to attend/watch another game. Feel free to join my one-family protest at anytime.

BTW: Got one of those big Catholic extended families...

[ponch]

I hope he signs, but I really don't want to see the Twins turn into the Wolves with Garnett, where all the money goes to the star and he has to go out there and win on his own... spend money Twins!! it's the only way your going to get to the World Series.

[Wow]

ponch wrote:

I hope he signs, but I really don't want to see the Twins turn into the Wolves with Garnett, where all the money goes to the star and he has to go out there and win on his own... spend money Twins!! it's the only way your going to get to the World Series.

I don't think the Twins would have to "sell the farm" to retain Mauer, but in the world of "creative negotiations" they may want to guarantee signing some much needed help and possibly shares in the ballclub in lieu of actual $$$$. I suspect Mauer would LOVE to play out his years in a Twins uniform, but not to point of languishing on a subpar to middling team.

[CzarInMpls]

They will sign Mauer and scuttle the rest of the good players for minor leaguers around him. Twins cheap ownership knows people will go to the new ballpark just to be outside and they only need one marquis face to sell the team and it's Minnesota Joe! Pittsburgh of the Midwest here we come. And keep swinging at those pitches 2 yards out of the strikezone Cuddyboy!

[realism speaking]

The only time Joe Mauer will leave Minnesota is when the Twins go on a road trip.
With a new Target Field ready for 2010, the Twins will open the vault to keep the St. Paul native where he belongs.

[appears on your post]

how about this: release franky liriano, and release delmon young...at least that'll save some money i bet...o.o

[Check it out]

Oh, I'm sure his agent won't want to start negotiations until the MVP is named.

[Tom]

I see JM signing for around $20 mil/season. Pohlads will low ball of course, starting say around $15 mil but in the end $20 mil or there-abouts sounds like the magic # for 6-8 yrs. I'd be surprised if it were less than that. If the market value is at $25 mil - theres your "hometown discount."

Oh to be Mr. Mauer..........

[brachiosaurus]

From reading the various posts and articles over the years, one gathers that the Pohlad family has considerable resources. If the Twins were to go over budget, one might infer that the Pohlads could go into their pockets to cover the remainder. If Mauer signs an extension, it is worth, as others have pointed out, spending the money now to build a World Series contending team that could contend for more than one season. The Twins need an ace in the starting rotation and a 3rd or 2nd baseman who can field and bat second. If the Yankees or Red Sox were in the same position, Mauer would get his extension, Halladay would be signed, and Figgins would be signed. THe reality: Mauer might get his extension, but the staff ace will be someone like Pavano or Washburn, and it will be musical chairs at 3rd and 2nd base. Maybe Casilla will wake up and Punto can maintain the good on-base percentage.

[brad el paso]

joe i had a son born 3 yrs. ago who now has a form of cancer joe i named his joe after you i have the mlb package and watch you every game dont break his heart joe when he passes i will invite you to the funeral and i would like you to say afew words for him joe on that day he will be wearing your twins uniform please dont dissapoint him and wear the yankees pinstripes joe you are one of us the proud the chosen and mind you the frozen twins thanx

[Petros]

Don't lowball the guy: give Joe a 10-Year, 25 Million a year contract. We lock him up until he's 36. If he can't catch halfway through, he can play 3rd or DH. He will ALWAYS hit.

Do the Pohlads want people to care about the Twins? Locking up Joe will only help the owners in the long run. Having a crummy team won't put people into the seats, and there isn't another Joe Mauer around with all the excitement and intangibles he brings to the organization. By contrast, I don't even care about Minnesota's sorry excuse for an NBA team anymore because of the ineptitude of the front office, and I probably never will care about them again.

Sure, Twins need money for other areas of the team (like pitching), but with skyrocketing salaries, in 3-4 years 25 Million a year for Mauer will look reasonable. You gotta pay top talent top money, and the question is: do we want top talent, who is also a MN native, who is also a great guy, who is also the face of the Twins of the next decade? I think so!