Retaining Mauer

[a47mlb]

Not that anyone asked, but here's what I think Mauer should do after next year if they don't go all the way. Keep in mind that he has made the comment that he doesn't care if he's the highest paid player in baseball. He also said that the only thing he has yet to accomplish is to win a ring.

So he should tell the Pollads something like this: "I don't need to be the highest paid player, but I could be if I left MN. I want a ring and I want to stay in MN. So, instead of giving me a $150 million dollar contract (i just pulled that number out of the sky), I'll take $90 million, and you spend the remaining $60 million I could get and find me the best of the best to get me a ring or two."

Just my opinion. Let the ball fly, boys.

[mrklean]

lets hope thats how it works but for him to get a ring work needs to be done with this team

[AWH]

I agree, let's hope it plays out like that. But one flaw in that idea. His agent will do the talking and no agent will sell his client like that. Agents are about one thing, and we all know what that is!

Aaron

[delta dude]

To keep him they would have to give him 20% of the 2009 payroll each year of a new contract. If that is the case who do you drop. Span, Cuddy, or what two starting pitchers? I like everyone else want Joe to stay. But you have to have cash for the rest of the pieces. And we all know past history with the Twins $$$$$$

[UdeLakeTom]

To keep him they would have to give him 20% of the 2009 payroll each year of a new contract. If that is the case who do you drop. Spahn, Cuddy, or what two starting pitchers? I like everyone else want Joe to stay. But you have to have cash for the rest of the pieces. And we all know past history with the Twins $$$$$$

Wow...if we had him when he was in his prime...we wouldn't have to worry about pitching...Spahn and Sain...Now that was a pitching combo.

[RumRiverRat]

Only if he starts playing day games after night games.

[a47mlb]

To keep him they would have to give him 20% of the 2009 payroll each year of a new contract. If that is the case who do you drop. Spahn, Cuddy, or what two starting pitchers? I like everyone else want Joe to stay. But you have to have cash for the rest of the pieces. And we all know past history with the Twins $$$$$$

They've GOT the money, just to cheap to pay it. Well, maybe Mauer is the one who will finally open up the bank. We can only hope.

[JBMasterAngler]

Alot of people are calling the Pohlads cheap, but I call them good business people. Why pay more money for players that may or may not win a world series when they can just keep doing what they're doing and make even more money? The Pohlads could care less if the twins win a world series or not! They just want to keep making good business. Would any of you honestly go to a twins game if the tickets were double or triple the price they are now, and the concessions were even more expensive? I sure wouldn't, I don't care who was on the team!

[Coach1310]

You are gonna have to offer some big $$$, but with some guarantee about other signings as well. He also won't take a HUGE discount just because the players union is so strong they almost force you to get close to market value no matter what the circumstance.

[Snag]

The Pohlad's are too cheap and if they do sign him, get used to him playing with AAA players. I think the Yankees catcher is getting ready to retire in a year or two anyway.

[kyleharty]

IMHO, they can't let him go regardless of the costs, he's a hometown boy and alot of fans, myself included, will lose faith in the organization if they let Mauer go to the Yankees or someone like that. We've gotten used to stars like Santana and Hunter leaving but I'd like to think this one's different.

[elkrivermn]

Easy does it fellas the kid aint going nowhere. Mauer has the same agent Kirby Pucket had. He is a very reasonable guy with a willingness to do whats best for bothsides.

[mrklean]

maybe can get target to toss out some money to get him to stay

[IFallsRon]

$90 mil for three years?

[delta dude]

Thats roughly one third of the 2009 payroll. Get ready for 4 or 5 Puntos if they pay that.

[CodyDawg]

On a related note, I heard Mike Max interview Billy Smith and the upshot was that they were so enthused with the way some players stepped up (i.e. Duensing) that they no longer need to go find good free agents. What a load of b-s. The on-field Twins are so fun to watch, but if they are not careful, their off-field greed/cheapness will cost them fans.

[Cicada]

"Only if he starts playing day games after night games."

No everyday catcher plays day game after night games. Too tough to recover in too short a time.

[delta dude]

Bench, Berra, Fisk, Pudge, and for you oldtimers Battey. They all did.

[CRAZYEYES]

The twins will always be baseballs best farm team. Santana, Ortiz, Hunter. Am I forgetting anyone that the twins lost by being cheap. If they lose mauer they will lose fans bigtime for this one.

[Mr.Seaguar]

You guys ever get the feeling we will never understand how athletes minds work? 3 million dollars is a vast sum of money. No self respecting high profile player would play for that amount. I just cant wrap my head around why anyone would let money they would never ever spend determine their life circumstances. Mauer has made enough that his salary is for the upcoming generations of Mauers. But if I was making $10.5mil I would have 4 families. If you had 2 dozen kids you might wanna go make 25 million somewhere else, I guess.

[B. Amish]

it's ego. if they feel like they're the best, they want their salary to show it.

[SledNeck]

You guys ever get the feeling we will never understand how athletes minds work? 3 million dollars is a vast sum of money. No self respecting high profile player would play for that amount. I just cant wrap my head around why anyone would let money they would never ever spend determine their life circumstances. Mauer has made enough that his salary is for the upcoming generations of Mauers. But if I was making $10.5mil I would have 4 families. If you had 2 dozen kids you might wanna go make 25 million somewhere else, I guess.

They want to be paid according to the market value for their skills.

If the 2nd best catcher in the league is making 12 mil a year, why should mauer settle for equal or less? I wouldnt.

[Scott K]

But just because the Yankees, and a couple other teams are willing to overpay players, doesnt mean that is what the market value is.

[zepman]

The players union will also have some say in this as well. They are there to protect the players and will not look kindly on a player(s) taking less than market value.

Market values have been set...current contracts are all you need to look at--regardless of who pays them...arbitration will take care of the rest.

[CRAZYEYES]

I know its a whole different can of worms but maybe baseball needs to let a salary cap start determining market value.