Joe Mauer

**Wingback** · 10-14-2009, 02:05 PM

Originally Posted by 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.

What in the world would Willie Mays be worth today? A guy who could hit .330, hit 50 home runs, knock in 140 runs, steal 50 bases, win a "Gold Glove," and be a coach on the field? What would he be worth in today's market?

Based on what some of these guys are making today, maybe a few billion a year?

**Clark** · 10-14-2009, 02:06 PM

Originally Posted by 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?

You could have a point there because I doubt he finishes his career as a catcher but as of right now, he is a catcher (and a pretty good one defensively)

No question he is valuable as a 1B (DH less so, but still has plenty of value) but the value he gives as a catcher is why scouts/sabermetric guys love him so much. It's hard enough to find a catcher who can hit his weight, let alone lead the league in hitting along with hitting for power. Plus, he's not a turtle on the basepaths and he plays good defense.

**Clark** · 10-14-2009, 02:07 PM

Originally Posted by Wingback

What in the world would Willie Mays be worth today? A guy who could hit .330, hit 50 home runs, knock in 140 runs, steal 50 bases, win a "Gold Glove," and be a coach on the field? What would he be worth in today's market?

Based on what some of these guys are making today, maybe a few billion a year?

A lot.

**Clark** · 10-14-2009, 02:12 PM

Originally Posted by Knownothing

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.

Are we talking about Alex Gonzalez the shortstop?

Alex Gonzalez Stats, News, Photos - Boston Red Sox - ESPN

Or is there some prospect with the same name?

Or are you referring to Victor Martinez
Victor Martinez Stats, News, Photos - Boston Red Sox - ESPN

Either way, you could always move one of the other to first base. Lowell will probably be done by then so you could move Youk over to 3rd.

**Jonecy** · 10-14-2009, 02:16 PM

I think he stays. The Twins are a very respectable and intelligent ball club. They have a great GM (IMO), play the game the right way and are always competitive. They've made the post-season 5 out of 8 seasons since Gardy has joined the team in 2002, so they've proven you can win in Minnesota. Maybe they haven't won the WS since Gardy took over, but the yankees haven't in that timeframe either (their last title was in 2000), so there are no guarantees when it comes to the post-season - even if you play for the highest payroll and are in the biggest market.

If $$ isn't the most important thing to Mauer, then why not stay in Minny and use your influence to improve the pitching staff b/c he's already on a winning ball club? He also has a brand new stadium to call home that will be filled with loyal fans.

As far as big markets and high payroll's go, do I even need to bring up the Cubs? Bottom line is that Joe wants to play for a good baseball team that has a shot at the WS and I think he's got that right here in Minneapolis.

**hurdleisu24** · 10-14-2009, 07:01 PM

Once again the Twins have question marks on the left side of the infield. Joe Crede and Orlando Cabrera are free agents, leaving Brendan Harris and Nick Punto as the main internal options. Adrian Beltre is the most intriguing affordable free agent option at the hot corner. Marco Scutaro is the top available shortstop, though he's coming off a career year. The Twins could also look to the trade market - how about Dan Uggla and J.J. Hardy?
The Twins also must decide whether Delmon Young's final month of the season is a sign of things to come. Another .284/.308/.425 performance won't be acceptable from their left fielder.
MVP frontrunner Joe Mauer is signed through 2010, and one of the Twins' top offseason priorities is to extend their catcher.
As for the rotation, August acquisition Carl Pavano is up for free agency. The Twins should consider re-signing him or someone similar - they have question marks after Scott Baker.
Does it make sense to trade closer Joe Nathan to free up payroll and fill some of these holes? Patrick Reusse of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune thinks so, and his colleague Michael Rand debates the finer points.

**3GenClone** · 10-14-2009, 07:17 PM

Originally Posted by hurdleisu24

Once again the Twins have question marks on the left side of the infield. Joe Crede and Orlando Cabrera are free agents, leaving Brendan Harris and Nick Punto as the main internal options. Adrian Beltre is the most intriguing affordable free agent option at the hot corner. Marco Scutaro is the top available shortstop, though he's coming off a career year. The Twins could also look to the trade market - how about Dan Uggla and J.J. Hardy?
The Twins also must decide whether Delmon Young's final month of the season is a sign of things to come. Another .284/.308/.425 performance won't be acceptable from their left fielder.
MVP frontrunner Joe Mauer is signed through 2010, and one of the Twins' top offseason priorities is to extend their catcher.
As for the rotation, August acquisition Carl Pavano is up for free agency. The Twins should consider re-signing him or someone similar - they have question marks after Scott Baker.
Does it make sense to trade closer Joe Nathan to free up payroll and fill some of these holes? Patrick Reusse of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune thinks so, and his colleague Michael Rand debates the finer points.

I could see the twins resigning one out of Cabrera, Crede or Pavano. I'm really hoping they choose Cabrera, that guy brought a spark to the Twins during the tie-breaker game and seems like a good fit in the clubhouse - and his bat isn't too shabby. I'm actually really surprised the Twins didn't try to move Nathan before the trade deadline this past season, but it proved to be a good no-move. If the twins resign Mauer then moving Nathan makes sense to free up some payroll. It looks like Punto played this postseason like he was trying to force the Twins hand to sign him to a new deal and I could see a new contract for him. I'm thinking the Twins may make one or two big moves in the free agent market this year to open Target Field...at least I'm hoping they do.

Geez I almost jinxed the Twins for next season by calling Target Field the Target Center!

**jhill** · 10-14-2009, 07:21 PM

Originally Posted by 3GenClone

I could see the twins resigning one out of Cabrera, Crede or Pavano. I'm really hoping they choose Cabrera, that guy brought a spark to the Twins during the tie-breaker game and seems like a good fit in the clubhouse - and his bat isn't too shabby. I'm actually really surprised the Twins didn't try to move Nathan before the trade deadline this past season, but it proved to be a good no-move. If the twins resign Mauer then moving Nathan makes sense to free up some payroll. It looks like Punto played this postseason like he was trying to force the Twins hand to sign him to a new deal and I could see a new contract for him. I'm thinking the Twins may make one or two big moves in the free agent market this year to open the Target Center...at least I'm hoping they do.

Crede is gone. They have a third baseman at Triple A that might get a shot...otherwise I think they might give Harris a chance to be regular third baseman. I hope they sign Cabrera too, the guy is still a very good shortstop and great in the 2 spot in the order. I think Delmon Young may have earned the left field job on a full time basis, so I kind of wonder what will happen to Carlos Gomez.

**Ficklone02** · 10-14-2009, 09:08 PM

Originally Posted by cybsball20

Mauer's agent is already getting his name out there and his PR team is testing some of the bigger markets. From what I have heard, Mauer wants to get out there and hit free agency, not only for the pay day, but to get away from Minnesota for a while... He has had to live up to this image playing in his hometown and the image really isn't who he really is.

If he's catering to an image that is not him.....than who is Joe Mauer?

**Dave19642006** · 10-14-2009, 09:19 PM

Cubs traded Soto and Bradley to the twins for Mauer

**Dormeezy** · 10-14-2009, 09:32 PM

Originally Posted by Dave19642006

Cubs traded Soto and Bradley to the twins for Mauer

you're joking right?

**Steve** · 10-14-2009, 09:37 PM

Originally Posted by Dave19642006

Cubs traded Soto and Bradley plus $27 million cash to the twins for Mauer's used socks and wrist bands.

fixed it for ya

**Jonecy** · 10-14-2009, 09:47 PM

Originally Posted by Dave19642006

Cubs traded Soto and Bradley to the twins for Mauer

Not a chance - the Cubs will be lucky to get anything for Bradley....good luck with that.

**HiltonMagic** · 10-14-2009, 10:15 PM

Originally Posted by Clark

Either way, you could always move one of the other to first base. Lowell will probably be done by then so you could move Youk over to 3rd.

this. I really want him in Boston. Lowell's contract is up next year, so move Youk to 3rd and have Victor mostly at 1B and Joe mostly at C. But they could split some time, probably something like 80/20.