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Gammons On Indians, Nationals, Mauer

By Ben Nicholson-Smith [May 22, 2009 at 10:10am CST]

Here are the highlights from Peter Gammons' analysis on Mike and Mike in the Morning. Joe Haggerty of the Boston Metro has the interview transcript on his blog, Hacks with Haggs.

The Padres will have a hard time dealing Jake Peavy because there aren't many takers who have the resources to acquire him. The Braves don't figure in now that they have enough pitching and the Cardinals aren't a likely fit either.
"Victor Martinez and Cliff Lee are not on the trade block," according to Gammons.
The Indians would deal Mark DeRosa for "major league ready pitching."
Washington would like to deal Nick Johnson, Austin Kearns and some of their "semi-attractive" relievers.
The Nationals offered Johnson to the Red Sox for Manny Delcarmen.
Gammons says he believes it's in the best interest of the buyer and the seller to deal earlier, rather than later.
The Yankees and Red Sox could offer Mark Teixeira money ($180MM) to Joe Mauer if the catcher hits free agency after the 2010 season.

Comments

i listened to this interview this morning. it sounds like the twins better lock him up because there will be a feeding frenzy for Mauer

Posted by: derman1984 | May 22, 2009 at 10:47 AM

I am a Sox fan and as much as I would like Mauer in a Sox uniform. 180mil is way to much for a catcher. Unless his power numbers keep up than maybe. Can you imagine Mauer @ Fenway. He would lead the league in doubles.. LOL

Posted by: nakid | May 22, 2009 at 10:53 AM

Johnson for Delcarmen eh... if he didnt have his injury problems I would take that but being that he does, no dice.

In regard to Mauer, I think the Twins are going to lock him up with some FAT dollars. I really dont think he's going anywhere.

Posted by: xethicx | May 22, 2009 at 10:58 AM

In the two years that Mauer has been 100% healthy, he's posted win value totals of 6.1 and 5.9, which is legitimate superstar level production.

He's a brilliant defensive catcher that's athletic behind the plate and calls a good game, and his ability to make hard contact and his plate discipline are fantastic.

Mauer is essentially everything that you could ask for in a player, maybe with the exception that he doesn't have the tools to churn out big power or speed numbers. Mauer is arguably the best ballplayer in the game, solely in terms of instincts and technique.

Then again, considering the health questions, there's no way that I commit 8/180 to Mauer, although if he's healthy for the duration of the contract then he's easily worth it.

I think that he gets more money over a shorter term if he hits the open market, so maybe something closer to 6/140?

I think there's a decent chance that he stays in Minnesota on a hometown discount, though.

Posted by: scribbletone | May 22, 2009 at 11:02 AM

I don't see the Sox really dealing for Johnson who though has been doing well this year (ok, outstanding) he has shown to be injury prone.

As for Mauer, he would tear it up in the AL East. Look at his #'s at the ALE parks for the past 3 years though take away Yankee Stadium cause they have the new HR friendly stadium. I would love to see him take over the reigns after Tek, but that's way too much money. It's a toss up for me.

Posted by: turnthe2 | May 22, 2009 at 11:02 AM

i agree with X. im as big of a sox fan as you will find and i would kill to have mauer but theres no way he's going anywhere. and as for delcarmen i say give it a shot. i know johnsons injury prone but delcarmen isnt the best pitcher in the world and does not seem to be getting any better. and with the surplus of pitching we have at the ml and AAA level i say give it a shot

Posted by: chanej88 | May 22, 2009 at 11:04 AM

I'm just curious. What makes Twins fans, or anyone for that matter, think that the Twins will dole out the big money for Mauer?

And the answer isnt "we'll have a new ballpark" because their owner has had the means to spend money before getting a new ballpark and has chosen time and time again not to.

Posted by: Cally31 | May 22, 2009 at 11:08 AM

I think the Brewers should make a push for Peavy, maybe center a deal around Parra and Jeffries. Throw in one more prospect and they could have a deal.

The Brewers should be a very good team for the next few seasons, even if they let Fielder go. They need to take advantage of their opportunity and they'd have Peavy for a few years to play with that dynamic offense.

Posted by: bigpat | May 22, 2009 at 11:11 AM

"I'm just curious. What makes Twins fans, or anyone for that matter, think that the Twins will dole out the big money for Mauer?"

I see five reasons:

1. Mauer is arguably a top 5 player in the game, and is absolutely the best catcher

2. The Twins already let go their past two superstars in Santana and Hunter

3. Mauer is clearly the face of their franchise

4. Mauer is a Minnesota kid

5. They have a shiny, new stadium opening soon

If Mauer is willing to take a slight discount, then I think there's pretty good logic supporting the idea that Mauer could stay in Minnesota.

Posted by: scribbletone | May 22, 2009 at 11:22 AM

"The Indians would deal Mark DeRosa for "major league ready pitching."

He is talking about the 34 year old Mark DeRosa who is hitting .253/.318/.420, right?

Posted by: icedrake523 | May 22, 2009 at 11:22 AM

How can the Yanks possibly pay just about every position player on their team $15 mil+ each when they can't get butts in the seats? I have doubts not just as a Sox fan but as someone just thinking logically that they can do that. My gut says Mauer stays in the TC and goes in to the Hall wearing their hat.

Posted by: turnthe2 | May 22, 2009 at 11:24 AM

Imagine the Nats would take MDC for Johnson, then they would have a closer under team control for 3 years while the Sox get Johnson who is always 1 day from another DL list stint. Thanks but no thanks, probably was a very quick hang up from the Boston FO followed by laughter.

Can see Mauer getting 180M+ *IF* both the Yankees and Sox get into a bidding war over him. It all depends I think on the young Sox catchers in High A ball and Low A ball and how they progress. The Yankees are going to go after him anyway and only (have a feeling) the Sox bidding the ante up would/could make it touch the Tex figures.

Posted by: johns | May 22, 2009 at 11:24 AM

"He is talking about the 34 year old Mark DeRosa who is hitting .253/.318/.420, right?

Yeah.

The guy who didn't land Chicago any MLB ready pitching even when he was coming off a full season with a .285/.376/.481 line and could be had for another full season, rather than just for 3-4 months.

Good luck landing MLB-ready pitching, Shapiro.

(BTW, if he does, then someone should kick Hendry in the face.)

Posted by: scribbletone | May 22, 2009 at 11:40 AM

i hope the Sox don't trade MDC for Johnson. Thats way too much.

Posted by: nakid | May 22, 2009 at 11:48 AM

"How can the Yanks possibly pay just about every position player on their team $15 mil+ each when they can't get butts in the seats?"

The Yankees are among the best in baseball in attendance right now, if not #1 (they have played fewer home games then everyone else too). This was a topic the media completely overblew due to a few empty seats around homeplate.

But you are right, they shouldn't be spending 15+ mil on anymore players, since they are currently locked into quite a few long term deals.

Also as much as I love Mauer, its tough to give a catcher with a questionable back that much money for so long. If he ever has to switch from catcher to another position he's not nearly as valuable.

Posted by: jvg019 | May 22, 2009 at 11:50 AM

So, even after the Case Blake for Carlos Santana and Join Meloan deal. And after surrendering such gems as Ben Broussard and Edwardo Perez for Asdrubal Cabrera and Shin Soo Choo. Even after the rape of the Expos for Cliff Lee and Grady Sizemore (special circumstances not-with-standing), Shapiro can't get any respect. We'll just have to wait and see how he does with De Rosa.

Shapiro has many faults and weaknesses. His ability to wheel and deal is not among them.

Posted by: MickS | May 22, 2009 at 01:03 PM

"Also as much as I love Mauer, its tough to give a catcher with a questionable back that much money for so long. If he ever has to switch from catcher to another position he's not nearly as valuable."

Exactly my doubts with Mauer. Yeah, if he's healthy, then he's worth a 8/180 contract. But the guy has had back issues, which constantly reappear, and if he has to move to third base or first base then his bat, while productive, becomes immediately less impressive.

A lot of his value lies in the fact that not only is a great hitter, but he's a great hitter who happens to be a brilliant defensive catcher.

It's just a massive risk, and that's why I still think that the shorter term/higher salary contract is more likely for him.

"But you are right, they shouldn't be spending 15+ mil on anymore players, since they are currently locked into quite a few long term deals."

Yeah..

I think few people realize what a huge risk the Yankees have taken by shelling out so much money over such a long period of time to Rodriguez, Teixeira, Sabathia and Burnett.

Obviously the idea is that they'll cheaply replace Pettitte, Jeter, Damon, Matsui, Posada and Rivera when their contracts are up, but it seems like people expect them to be in on every major free agent.

Posted by: scribbletone | May 22, 2009 at 01:07 PM

They generally are in on every FA to some extent Scribbletone, or at least any top FA they need, or to block one to any team that they perceive as an immediate threat and have been doing this since the late 70's.

Posted by: johns | May 22, 2009 at 01:41 PM

"Victor Martinez and Cliff Lee are not on the trade block," according to Gammons.

Shocking! I've only said this on nearly every post. Unfortunately people don't want to know they're not available, just how much it would take to land them if they were.

"So, even after the Case Blake for Carlos Santana and Join Meloan deal. And after surrendering such gems as Ben Broussard and Edwardo Perez for Asdrubal Cabrera and Shin Soo Choo. Even after the rape of the Expos for Cliff Lee and Grady Sizemore (special circumstances not-with-standing), Shapiro can't get any respect. We'll just have to wait and see how he does with De Rosa."

Shapiro has made some bad deals too (Brandon Phillips), but you're absolutely right, you can't argue with those three at all.

"The guy who didn't land Chicago any MLB ready pitching even when he was coming off a full season with a .285/.376/.481 line and could be had for another full season, rather than just for 3-4 months.

Good luck landing MLB-ready pitching, Shapiro."

From what I remember, the Cubs weren't really openly shopping DeRosa, especially to the extent of the Indians, so I'd hardly say they were unable to get ANY MLB pitching. Besides, if they thought they could get MLB pitching from the Indians, they were absolutely out of their minds. Cleveland's biggest need was just that.

Posted by: the lowercase zach is better | May 22, 2009 at 03:49 PM

1. Mauer is arguably a top 5 player in the game, and is absolutely the best catcher"

I think a few catchers would want a word with you about that. How about McCann and Martin? Maybe for Minn, he is the best possible catcher, but not all of MLB. Also, because he is so big, there is a very high chance of injury while catching, and he may not be able to catch when he is 35-40

Posted by: lakersdodgersyankees4life | May 22, 2009 at 04:25 PM

If Mauer's power is for real then he is the undisputed best catcher in baseball. however 8 for 180 is excessive.

I know my Braves won't ever get back in on the Peavy sweepstakes but based off of what CHI traded, if we moved Locke, Rohrbough, Morton, and another pitcher for Peavy we would have the best staff bar none. It's too bad that Wren lets personal feeling influence his dealings- Peavy situation and Wasserman Media

Posted by: bravesfan22193 | May 22, 2009 at 05:03 PM

1. Mauer's power doesn't need to be real for him to easily be considered the best hitting catcher in the majors. Whoever is looking to sign him is looking to sign a guy who sprays line drives all over the park and has the potential to hit .330+ each year.

2. In regards to 180 mil... I think that anyone willing to sign a catcher to a big long term deal is asking for trouble. But the owner seem to be wiping their arses with money these days, so who am I to say Mauer isn't worth 180... He's worth as much as he can get out of it... and well, if Zito is making silly money, then certainly Mauer should be making silly money, too.

3. Bosox fans who are sceptical of Johnson for Delcarmen... have you taken a look at your bullpen recently? You've got absolutely no reason to be fearful of losing Delcarmen, who is perhaps your 5th or 6th best reliever (early stats can be deceiving). You give up Delcarmen, who could honestly be considered surplus given the talent you've got in the the minors, and gain a reliable bat in Johnson. Sure, his injury record is scary, but his bat sure isn't... I would take that deal, now!

4. Peavy = who cares... I was already bored with the trade rumors before the season when he was said to be moving to Chicago. Until something actually happens, it's ridiculous to speculate... all I know is that he loves SD, and why shouldn't he? It's a lovely area.

5. Mark DeRosa is garbage. He's stated himself that the only reason he started to hit well, was that he looked at how Michael Young hit and tried to do the exact same thing (not bad tactic really, but he's not Michael Young). I would trade him for a 5 cent piece of laffy taffy and consider it a steal.

Posted by: Agent F | May 23, 2009 at 03:58 PM

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Gammons On Indians, Nationals, Mauer

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