Twins lock up Mauer through 2018…Brilliant!
Posted on 25. Mar, 2010 at 7:44 am by 3D in Minnesota Twins
Earlier this week Joe Mauer and the Minnesota Twins inked a deal keeping him in his home state through the 2018 season. His huge 8 year, $184 million deal is a great thing for himself, his team, and the game. Here are a few thoughts, in no particular order, on the Mauer signing:
- 8 years is a long contract for a catcher. However, he doesn’t have Pudge or Piazza syndrome where he has to catch as much as possible. Mauer has accepted the DH role and taken his necessary days off. He’s a catcher – of course he could break down but Gardenhire and Co. have taken the smart precautions to keep him healthy.
- The Twins were desperate as can be to sign him. And sign him now. $23 million per year is a lot for any player (especially a catcher), in any market (especially Minnesota), and without actually being a free agent. However, with a new ballpark opening up in less than 3 weeks, tickets had to be sold right away. The Twins were smart to realize a 26 year old MVP who hits the way he does was going to get a big fat contract anyway. They were going to have to pay for him, and pay large.Â
- Signing Mauer before he became a free agent kept out the big players. The Yanks, Sox, Mets, Dodgers, among others, had the cash to dwindle in front of Mauer had he completed the 2010 season unsigned. And honestly, it probably saved those teams from a bad investment. Had Mauer signed elsewhere, his contract would have been another year or two longer, and included another 20-30 million overall. The Twins’ investment is substantial, already bordering on the high side.
- The contract is another step in what appears to be another historic baseball career. A career along the lines of George Brett, Tony Gwynn, Kirby Puckett, and Cal Ripken, Jr. A perennial all-star, statistical records, a ring or two (Gywnn lost both his appearances) and a well-liked guy in one city with one team.Â
Meerkat
25. Mar, 2010
I have heard that the Yanks and BoSox would have paid up to $250M for Mauer. So Joe possibly left $66M on the table by staying in Minnesota. Way to go Twins!