Twins' Extension Talks For Joe Mauer Have Not Begun

I am thinking along the lines of 6 yrs/120 million, is that out of line?

Posted by: BabyJesus | November 11, 2009 at 02:12 PM

no, he's their version of derek jeter so they have to pretty much pay him whatever he wants, especially with the new stadium coming up. if he waits till free agency the red sox will move v-mart to 1B and youk to 3B and the yankees will DH posada and mauer will get a 7 year, 180 to 200 million contact offer from one of them. my prediction is he signs for a home town discount of 6 years 90 million.

Joe Mauer re-signs with the Twins, and retires a Twin. Keep salivating, East Coast, it ain't gonna happen.

I hope Morneau goes through with his threat of never talking to Mauer again if he signs elsewhere next offseason.

But I don't think it will come to that.

Twins fans (and others) can hate the system all you want, but it is absurd for him to consider leaving more than $50 million on the table. He is too damn good.

This is a personal decision and nobody should expect someone (no matter how rich he already is) to leave that kind of money on the table.

8 yrs/200 million

I don't expect him to leave that money on the table, but I don't think he is about the money, I think if he feels management will put a qualtiy team on the field he will take less, he isn't about the biggest payday he just wants to win.

I feel if Mauer really wants to stay he will take a pretty good hometown discount to stay in Minneasota and allow for the Twins to spend the money not spent on Mauer to make the team better. I am sure he knows he could get upwards of 25 million from either the yankees or the red sox, but if he really wants to stay in Minneasota and to win he knows he will be taking a discount.

I dont see how the Twins can pay Mauer and Morneau 45 to 50 million and still be able to support a team around them.

Morneau should probably quitely hope that Mauer leaves (if he really wants to stay).

Bretwk, You need to realize that some people value things more than money. Will 50 million really improve Joe's life if he moves away from his family and friends? Maybe or maybe not but not all players are out there looking to make the most money even though the Yankees fans would like to believe that. We will see how things turn out but i think there is a reasonably good chance that the Twins resign him. Frankly none of us know how Joe thinks so we will just have to wait and see.

Why is it "absurd for him to consider leaving more than $50 million on the table"? Is $120mm, on top of what he's already made, not enough for a guy to live off for the rest of his life? The man lives in a cabin in rural MN for chrissakes. Quit comparing every contract to what A-Rod makes; it's irrelevant.

While a lot of posts in this thread will be stupid, saying "Big Market Team X will sign Joe Mauer" because it does appear likely Mauer will be a Twin his whole career, as his personality doesnt really compare to a guy like Manny. But it's also stupid to say "There is no way Mauer leaves" because if one of the Big Market teams offer him over 200 million, it's hard to turn down.

"Will 50 million really improve Joe's life if he moves away from his family and friends?"

These guys spend the entire season on the road and in the offseason he could live in mom and dad's basement for all I care (but who would want to live in MN in the winter anyway???).

He should be thinking about his family (including his future children). He should take the money. I wont think any less of him if he does.

"This is a personal decision and nobody should expect someone (no matter how rich he already is) to leave that kind of money on the table."

Why? Would those added millions of dollars make that significant of a difference in anyone's life? When you're that rich, I would think that your comfort, as far as where you live and who you're surrounded by, would be much more meaningful. But that's just me.

Throw out the last year of his current deal give him 7 years for $133 million. $19 Million per year and a nice raise this season.

If the Twins do cough up the money good for them. It will be a shame for one of the top players in baseball to choose to play for a team that WANTS Punto to be their starting 3B.

PS: Has Punto figured out how to run the bases yet? Because that .210 BA is looking worse then he is getting caught off 2B in a close game.

also, name a CATCHER even close to his ability. I think he deserves more than any other player. More than Pujols, or any player that ever lived. For Arod, there are good third baseman, longoria, and wright, would be options almost as good. Pujols, you can get teixera, fielder, morneau, and others. Name the second best catcher, brian mccan, or russel martin? NOONE COMES CLOSE

Nice to see the Twins getting started, although I'm sure they've already been working behind the scenes. Will be nice to send a message not just to Minnesota fans, but the rest of the baseball world.

Right no redsox13.

bbxxj - the Marlins are able to compete with a low payroll because they constantly trade their best players for prospects (half of whom make an impact at $400k to $500k). The Twins would not be pursuing that strategy if they resign Mauer and Morneau so I think that it is doubtful that they would find the Bakers (not at catcher obviously), Colgan, Nunez, Calero, Volstad type players year after year.

Anyone who thinks that Mauer would forego a contract extension simply to "test the free agent waters" doesn't quite grasp the situation.

Twins are building a flat out powerhouse in minnesota.

SPAN
HARDY
MAUER
MORNEAU
KUBEL
CUDDYER
CREDE
YOUNG
PUNTO (Maybe insert Felipe Lopez or Orlando Cabrera here.)

THAT my friends is a serious run producing lineup!

27

Well... Mauer is pretty good. I do think he is about as good a player as there is redsox13.

That's because Josh Beckett and Dustin Pedroia are replaceable.

Hahaha...you're right, redsox13, Twins fans shouldn't have pride in their players. /sarcasm

Mauer is the best catcher in the league even if he regresses from the 2009 numbers. He will instantly make a team a contender (almost any team except maybe Pittsburg).

He hit a little higher than .330 i believe

@Bretwk

Yep the pitching is the problem. We are just missing that dominating ace like Sabathia, Beckett pitcher who can steal games. But Baker, Slowey, Blackburn are great. Hoping we can trade Perkins and Liriano(lost faith in him)...

Signing Bedard or Harden would be nice.

@ ulitmate913

The Twins contend every year and defintely have a chance to win. Yankees fans will even admit we gave them a good run and we were missing our second best player(Morneau).

I know everyone loves to hate Punto and he has NO power but with just average BABAP luck he will have ~.350-.360OBP and elite D at 3B (~+20 UZR/150 for his career at 3B). He also has good speed in the basepaths and can swipe a few bases.

Wow this thread is filled with garbage

661dodgerblue - thank for adding to the discussion.

I totally get Twins pride. Every team should have it.

The truth is that you guys would be better today had you not traded Johan and Garza.

"Keep salivating Jim, your Twins will never win it all."

Coming from a Red Sox fan, really? Apparently an 18-year drought for World Series championships is significantly more pathetic than an 86-year drought suddenly.

Hey Red Sox fans, you spent huge money, and fielded a pretty solid team this year. Did it sting when you missed the playoffs? If you aren't jealous, you should get your priorities straight. The Twins have to grow their talent and strike while the iron's hot. We have a unique situation this year (for us) in that there is some extra revenue that can be spent on homegrown talent asking for their due share. Our pride is earned and deserved, and that is what the East coast fans don't understand. When you have a top three payroll and win the series, it is expected. When we have a bottom half payroll and sneak into the playoffs with our youngsters, it feel glorious. I'm sorry, I think you may never understand.

Posted by: Batting 3rd, #34... | November 11, 2009 at 03:19 PM

Honestly, that may be the worst post in the history of message boards. The Red Sox spent huge $$? Yeah, those 1 year deals for Smoltz, Saito, Baldelli, and Penny were back breakers. Second, we missed the playoffs? Check again. As far as growing talent, you may want to check out Boston's team..Lester, Pedroia, Ellsbury, Bard, Delcarmen, Papelbon, Buchholz, etc. etc. etc. As far as payroll goes...After arbitration raises are figured, the Sox 2010 payroll is currently sitting at $109M. With the talk of the Twins raising their payroll into the $90M-$100M range, is a $10M payroll a HUGE advantage? You may want to reconsider every piece of nonsense you just posted.

I love hearing people talk about Jeter that way. The example used to be Ripkin (god I hate that guy).

Gibson - if the Twins last two big trades (Santana, and Garza) are any indication of what they will be able to parley for Mauer, then they might as well keep him and get the picks. Delmon Young could still develop power (although plate discipline is unlikely) but all the other players have not paned out and the would be better off drafting (they have had success at that at least).

All the twins trade bashing and I just remembered the last time they traded a catcher. AJ Pierzynski for Liriano, Nathan, and Bonsor

That was a VERY good trade.

Hey Red Sox fans, you spent huge money, and fielded a pretty solid team this year. Did it sting when you missed the playoffs? If you aren't jealous, you should get your priorities straight. The Twins have to grow their talent and strike while the iron's hot. We have a unique situation this year (for us) in that there is some extra revenue that can be spent on homegrown talent asking for their due share. Our pride is earned and deserved, and that is what the East coast fans don't understand. When you have a top three payroll and win the series, it is expected. When we have a bottom half payroll and sneak into the playoffs with our youngsters, it feel glorious. I'm sorry, I think you may never understand.

Posted by: Batting 3rd, #34... | November 11, 2009 at 03:19 PM

Oh Hi!! I'm the game of baseball! Have we met?

Lets not kid ourselves into thinking the Red Sox will actually have a payroll of $106 million this season, they'll more than likely resign Bay, and if Wagner accepts arbitration and they add a starter the payroll will be back up their quickly. No one spends like the Yankees but it's not like the Red Sox are working under tight payroll restrictions.

All 3 teams (Twins, Red Sox and Twins) averaged over 5 runs per game last season. The last month of the season the twins averaged 1.44 runs more than the red sox and 1.26 more than the yankees. Twins add JJ HARDY and JUSTIN MORNEAU (out last month of year) to a lineup that did serious damage winning 17 of 21 games to take the AL Central and HOW AS A TWINS FAN am I NOT Supposed to be excited about what this team could do 2010??!?! Seriously, and couple that with spending nearly HALF the money on virtually the same production makes it even more sweet. I am darn proud of the Twins and I know without a doubt they will be tough to beat and a top 5 team next season!

so does Santana for Hardy and Rauch seem like a good deal... I would say no.

By the way, did you know that the lowest winning percentage team to every win the world series was the 2006 Cardinals (83-78). Also, the Redsox only won 75 games during the regular season in 1918. Does that even count?

I dont think that anyone said they stink. If someone did, I disagree. The main argument is whether Mauer should test free agency. If he is thinking about the team he should not, but if he is thinking about Joe Mauer and his family, he should.

Likewise, if the Twins (and their fans) are thinking about the Twins then he should offer him the discount. If they are thinking about Joe Mauer they would offer him what he is worth.

Twins look like they'll have a good team next year to go along with a great looking stadium...good luck next year...see you in the playoffs!

so does Santana for Hardy and Rauch seem like a good deal... I would say no.

___________________________

First off I would say and emphatic YES I would consider that to be a GOOD trade. You obviously are very unintelligent because had they not traded Johan they would have lost him to free agency and would have recieved NOTHING for him!! So is something better than nothing?? YES. DUH. They will develop new unknown effective arms, always have always will.

its funny that the twins made it just as far in the playoffs as the red sox only for $100 million less. mauer owns minnesota he wont leave

Bretwk- if you can't resign your potential FA, almost any pull in a trade is considered a haul.

The following is a link to a spreadsheet with a breakdown of commitments in MN payroll.
http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=tIn6UNnQQrmryUesyK0wSwg&output=html

Take note of the following obligations in 2011:
Morneau: 15mm
Mauer: ? (20-27mm)
Cuddyer: 10.5mm
Nathan: 11.25mm
Baker: 5mm

So, as it stands right now, out of 5 players with Mauer being calculated at 25mm, the Twins are obligating 66.75mm to 5 players? This is not unreasonable, but I am wondering how this stacks up to their payroll history? Let's check: according to Forbes:
http://www.forbes.com/lists/2009/33/baseball-values-09_Minnesota-Twins_330400.html

So, as of 2009, the Twins farm system was ranked no 16 in all MLB. Time to stock up?

With their team ERA in 2009 ranked 11th in the AL, BAA 12th, OPS 9th, any ideas about where you could spend 25mm a year?

Mauer is great in MN, but the numbers do not add up to keep him. Sell now.

Using past payroll figures for the Twins in a stadium they generated poor revenues in is irrelevant. The subjective ranking of the farm system - if valid they're in the middle - as a point to trade your best home grown player possibly ever is weak as well. I highly doubt 25 per is the number he signs for, when he signs for the Twins.

And, once again, Charlie Walters is a buffoon.

It all comes down to whether his talk about wanting to stay in Minnesota and just "wanting to win" is all lip service or not.

The Twins can probably afford to pay him what he wants...but the obvious factor is will what they pay him limit their ability to make other moves? Players think about that too. I would guess no player wants to be responsible for his team not being able to acquire good starting pitching, other star players, etc. It's easier to ensure that doesn't happen in New York or Boston than in Minnesota.

My gut tells me he'll end up re-signing with the Twins, but only time will tell what's most important to him.

no cather is worth 25 mill a year. i dont care how good he is. He is young and can play every day now but catchers break down. If he signs a 8 year deal and 20 plus mill a year, but the 4th year, he will start breaking down. Not cause its him but all catchers do. He will never keep up the numbers he is putting up now for 7 or 8 mofre years. they may be close but no way will he hit 350 if he catches everyday. his avg will slowly creep down and stay consistant at 300. is a very good defensive catcher who can hit 300 worth 25 mill? No. I would ratehr take 25 mill and give that to morneau and sign bengie monlina. Hes a great balkl player but catchers and pitchers never should get large contracts like that. There no much of a risk. this is simply my opinion. I ma a yankee fan and i hate the contract they gave cc.,. never give a picther or a catcher large contracts!!1 esp pitchers!!!!

Why spread such an important Rumor only to squash it days later. If Mauer signs an extension, this offseason will be one of the BEST in team history.

"TargetField2010-when you say that I am jealous the number 27 immediately pops into my head. :)"

Whenever people say the the number 27, the number 423 million pops into my head.

If the Yankees had a payroll like every other team, they wouldn't have even made the playoffs this year. That's what won the World Series. Not Joe Girardi's management. Hell, I've coached little league for 4 years, and I could manage the Yankees. Just grab a pillow.

Yes. I am jealous of a team with its head so far up their own asses, that they don't realize that they are ruining baseball. A team who's fans bitch if their team doesn't go to the World Series every year. I totally understand that 6 years is a long time to not go to the World Series, right Pirates fans?

Jealous of 27? No. Sick of ridiculous Yankees fans? Yes.

Oh, and another thing, that has bothered me.

If the Yankees are such a great team, and as so many of them have told me "The Twins suck" then why did you have to walk us off 5 times this season and post season?