Joe Mauer

[bawbie]

I think he will be going to the Yankees or Red Sox! Both teams have the $$ and they have aging catchers.

IMO, it doesn't matter that he is from St Paul, the Twins do not have the will to spend the $$ on one player and he will go where the $$ is.

The Twins have the money. They are getting $40mil a year in increased revenue from the new stadium.

There is precedent too. The Twins kept Kirby Puckett in Minnesota for his whole career, even though he was rumored to get a huge contract from the Yankees too.

[Knownothing]

Just keep the Yankees away from him.

[Tank]

Would the Yankees really shove Posada aside?

Posada is 38 years old! I don't know if it is necessarily pushing him aside or bringing in somebody who is 26 years old to be their catcher for the next 10-12 years.

[jtd9046]

It's not just about the contract concerning the money he can make. His endorsement potential in a market like New York is HUGE. Minnesota just cannot compete with that.

I hope he stays like the rest of you, I'm just pointing out that it comes down to more than just the team contract.

Felt the need to repost this... and if what Cysball says is true his PR team is already investigating the potential of different markets.

[Clark]

My opinion is he is worth about 25-30 million a year on hte open market considering how good he is and the value he gives a team at the catcher spot. He might actually be worth more than Albert Pujols because he's a catcher.

However, like Albert I'm sure he'd be willing to take less to stay with his current team. That being said, taking less does not mean that he'd give up 10 million a year to stay.

Therefore if in two years his FA value is something like $150million/5 years he might accept an offer from Minnesota like 120million/5 years but probably not an offer like 100million/5 years.

[Clonegrad07]

If the twins don't re-sign him, they're as good as dead to their fans...

[Dryburn]

I think they will sign him. His ties to Minnesota are too strong, and the fans would never forgive the owners if he does not get signed. I don't really think the money is as big an issue for the team as some would make it out to be. There is going to be an increase in revenue with the new stadium next year, and the ownership has said that the payroll will increase to reflect that. They will really turn off the fans if they don't follow through with signing Mauer and bringing in the players they need. A little note too.....his agent was also the agent for Kirby and Cal Ripken, Jr.......two players that ended up playing their entire careers for one team. Also, for those who think the Twins are cheap, don't forget that Kirby was one of the first, if not the first to sign a 3 million dollar contract I believe. So, I think the Twins will spend the money if they think it is warranted, and with Mauer, how can they not think that?

There is also suggestions now that Nathan may be traded. Blowing that save in New York didn't help to quiet those rumors.

It should be an interesting off-season.

[jsb]

My opinion is he is worth about 25-30 million a year on hte open market considering how good he is and the value he gives a team at the catcher spot. He might actually be worth more than Albert Pujols because he's a catcher.

However, like Albert I'm sure he'd be willing to take less to stay with his current team. That being said, taking less does not mean that he'd give up 10 million a year to stay.

Therefore if in two years his FA value is something like $150million/5 years he might accept an offer from Minnesota like 120million/5 years but probably not an offer like 100million/5 years.

I agree with you on the money. I think the Twins are going to have to spend in the $100-$120 range to keep him. And they are going to have to find some other talent to surround him.

Of course, if the previous poster is correct and Mauer hates Minnesota and his image there, I suppose he could head to NY. I bet NY would pay him $200 million if they really wanted him.

[ISU_phoria]

My opinion is he is worth about 25-30 million a year on hte open market considering how good he is and the value he gives a team at the catcher spot. He might actually be worth more than Albert Pujols because he's a catcher.

However, like Albert I'm sure he'd be willing to take less to stay with his current team. That being said, taking less does not mean that he'd give up 10 million a year to stay.

Therefore if in two years his FA value is something like $150million/5 years he might accept an offer from Minnesota like 120million/5 years but probably not an offer like 100million/5 years.

From what I've heard, the general thought on local Minneapolis Sports talk shows is that Mauer could probably get around $23 million - $25 million a year on the open market and likely get around 8 years. ($180 million to $200 million total) This obviously doesn't include any endorsement opportunitites in other markets.

The hope by local fans/experts is that the Twins might be able to get Mauer for less ($18 million - $22 million per year) but with as much as a 10 year contract.

Only time will tell how it all plays out, but if I had to bet, I would guess Mauer stays... He grew up here, his family is here, his friends are here, his and Morneau are really close, etc.

The Twins really need to show they're serious about bringing in players that give them a chance to make a deep post-season run!

[jsb]

I think they will sign him. His ties to Minnesota are too strong, and the fans would never forgive the owners if he does not get signed. I don't really think the money is as big an issue for the team s some would make it out to be.

There is also suggestions now that Nathan may be traded. Blowing that save in New York didn't help to quiet those rumors.

It should be an interesting off-season.

I go back and forth on the Nathan thing.....I thought for a lot of the last month or so that his stuff was a little bit off. He used to throw all strikes and lately people had been getting good contact off the ball.

But he is still a top 5 closer in baseball and those are worth their weight in gold. I also don't know that you are showing your committment to winning, like Mauer, Morneu, and Nathan talk about, if you trade him and we all know that signing Mauer is THE most important thing.

[jsb]

From what I've heard, the general thought on local Minneapolis Sports talk shows is that Mauer could probably get around $23 million - $25 million a year on the open market and likely get around 8 years. ($180 million to $200 million total) This obviously doesn't include any endorsement opportunitites in other markets.

The hope by local fans/experts is that the Twins might be able to get Mauer for less ($18 million - $22 million per year) but with as much as a 10 year contract.

Only time will tell how it all plays out, but if I had to bet, I would guess Mauer stays... He grew up here, his family is here, his friends are here, his and Morneau are really close, etc.

The Twins really need to show they're serious about bringing in players that give them a chance to make a deep post-season run!

What's the current largest contract out there? What was ARod's last deal worth?

Baseball salaries are just silly, but if ever there was someone that was worth it, it'd be Mauer.

[Tank]

What's the current largest contract out there? What was ARod's last deal worth?

Baseball salaries are just silly, but if ever there was someone that was worth it, it'd be Mauer.

Top 25 player salariesNo.Player/TeamSalary1.3B Alex Rodriguez, NYY $ 33,000,000 2.OF Manny Ramirez, LA$ 23,854,4943.SS Derek Jeter, NYY$ 21,600,000 4.1B Mark Teixeira, NYY$ 20,625,000 5.OF Carlos Beltran, NYM$ 19,243,682 6.OF Carlos Lee, HOU$ 19,000,000 7.OF Magglio Ordonez, DET$ 18,971,596 8.SP/LH Johan Santana, NYM$ 18,876,139 9.SP/RH Carlos Zambrano, CHC$ 18,750,000 10.SP/LH Barry Zito, SF $ 18,500,000 11.OF Torii Hunter, LAA $ 18,000,000 (tie)OF Ichiro Suzuki, SEA $ 18,000,000 13.OF Alfonso Soriano, CHC $ 17,000,000 14.3B Aramis Ramirez, CHC$ 16,650,00015.1B Todd Helton, COL $ 16,600,000 16.SP/RH A.J. Burnett, NYY $ 16,500,000 17.SP/RH Tim Hudson, ATL$ 15,500,000 18.SP/LH CC Sabathia, NYY$ 15,285,714 19.SP/RH Jason Schmidt, LA $ 15,217,401 20.OF Vladimir Guerrero, LAA$ 15,000,000 (tie)1B Ryan Howard, PHI$ 15,000,000 (tie)SP/RH Derek Lowe, ATL $ 15,000,000 (tie)RP/RH Mariano Rivera, NYY$ 15,000,000 24.SS Miguel Tejada, HOU $ 14,811,414 25.1B Lance Berkman, HOU $ 14,500,000

[cyfanatic]

The thing about Mauer being more valuable due to being a catcher...is this still the case? How long is he planning to catch? Even at DH or 1B he is still valuable...but why did I think I heard talk this summer of the Twins already thinking of ways to find him at-bats at a position other than catcher?

[Knownothing]

I think he will be going to the Yankees or Red Sox! Both teams have the $$ and they have aging catchers.

IMO, it doesn't matter that he is from St Paul, the Twins do not have the will to spend the $$ on one player and he will go where the $$ is.

Boston is going to try and resign Alex Gonzalez. Joe would be an upgrade but Alex is already in the system and he is a great catcher.

[Clark]

What's the current largest contract out there? What was ARod's last deal worth?

Baseball salaries are just silly, but if ever there was someone that was worth it, it'd be Mauer.

It's still A-Rod I believe

Rodriguez finalizes $275M deal with Yankees - MLB - ESPN

275 million through 2017 that doesn't include milestone bonuses which could total another 30 million.


That's why I'd be shocked if Mauer signs for less than 20 million a year.