Twins, Mauer agree to 10-year extension
February 1, 2010, 4:25 pm by iYankees · 7 Comments
According to WCOO-TV (props to MLBTR), the Minnesota Twins and Joe Mauer have reached a preliminary agreement on a 10-year contract extension. No word yet on the financial details of the deal, which will keep Mauer a Twin until the age of 37, however, I would expect it to be for at least $200 million. If the report is true, Mauer would be eliminated from next year’s impressive class of free agents, leaving Victor Martinez as the top catcher available.
UPDATE (4:30 pm) – Buster Olney is reporting that the WCOO report is inaccurate. No deal yet.
I’m happy to see this happen. I think it is in the best interest of baseball to have its elite players spread out amongst many teams. This will help make the season more exciting/interesting to follow.
It’s also nice to see a small market team spend some cash — a blow to those that feel a salary cap needs to be implemented. I’m against a salary cap. There is enough revenue sharing in baseball to help small market teams be successful. If you want to make a change, create a rule that forces owners to spend all shared revenue on improving their team (on salaries, scouting, player development, etc. – just don’t let them pocket it).
With all their catching prospects, I don’t know if the Yankees seriously had Mauer on their radar, but we know the Red Sox wanted him in a bad way. So, there’s another benefit to Mauer staying in Minn.
The Yankees should focus on the great crop of pitchers in next year’s free agent class, as well as Crawford for left field.
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If Mauer sign with the Twins for long term that means the Yankees are going toward their catching prospects Jesus Montero and Austin Romine.
Jorge Posada’s contract is due until 2011 but is diminishing defensively at the catching position. Posada will need to see more DH time as months progresses.
Look for the Yankees to bring up Montero in the middle of the season or at the start of the 2011. Romine is not that far behind.
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Good post , Managing. Yankees have capable prospects coming up, let’s develop them. One is a capable defensively the other is a hitting machine.
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HD,I feel the same way Mauer is a twin and is the face of their franchise.On Crawford depending on his price may not be a good sign.He is not an elite hitter and if Gardner can develop his offense this year the difference between the two would not warrant the kind of money Crawford will get.Montero has a chance to be a special hitter,can’t wait to see him in the Bronx.
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Mauer staying in Minnesota isn’t just good for baseball it’s good for Minnesota who is opening a new stadium this year. Outdoor stadium. Who made that decision???
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I still hope it happens. As Yankee fan I’d rather him stay in Minny and away from Boston who won’t nearly get the heat we would if they signed him. Despite it being just as bad for baseball.
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