'CCO says #7 to sign 10 year contract

[Scott K]

This isnt much, but it is the first in awhile about any news on this.

.

Quote:

Although Twins CEO Jim Pohlad would not discuss contract-extension negotiations with Joe Mauer, he did on Monday say that the Twins are opposed to giving out contracts with deferred compensation.

This could affect negotiations with Mauer, as the team must figure out a way to sign him long-term without crippling their budget. "There's a ton of real-life examples of that kind of thinking," Pohlad said. "It's either going to be somebody else's problem, or we'll worry about that later. And eventually you've got to worry about it. And at that point, when you've got to worry about it, it affects your current operation. So it's really not a good thing."

[PierBridge]

Those Pohlads don't what they are doing how they became Multi-Billionaires is beyond me with the way the run their myriad of successful Business's.

YANKEE"S!

[Dahitman44]

so is he signing the deal or not?

[Scott K]

I know this isnt much, but talks should start rolling out soon, if they plan on getting him signed by opener.

Quote:

A club source tells La Velle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune that Ron Shapiro, the agent for Joe Mauer, has arrived in Fort Myers to meet with the Twins.

According to Neal, it's being shaped as Shapiro's annual visit to spring training, but the two sides are expected to hold face-to-face discussions about Mauer's future in Minnesota. There was some buzz last month that the framework of a deal is already in place, but according to Neal, there are indications that progress has slowed recently.

Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune

[DonBo]

I don't know...are the "powers that be" in the Twins organization even in Ft. Meyers, or back here holding down the fort at Target Field?

[Scott K]

I would assume Bill Smith is down there, he should have all the authority needed to discuss and approve a deal that I am sure has been discussed internally with the Pohlads.

This has got to be a tough situation for the Twins, it will be a lose, lose situation. Either they let him walk, and disappoint many fans, or they over pay and put the future of the club in jeopardy. I am sure both sides have their magic numbers that they will agree to, for minimums and maximums. They just need to get them numbers out to each other and get over with it.

I would rather the Twins not over pay, and let him walk, then to over pay him and not be able to put a team around him for many years. I dont want to see another Garnett/Timberwolves thing happen to another MN team.

[DonBo]

Tough situation for sure but if they let #7 go, fans will be up in arms against the Twins and it will get ugly. Hopefully the new stadium will raise the revenue necessary to keep a good team on the field for years to come.

[mrklean]

if we lose mauer will we lose fans as well?

[Scott K]

I think some fans will be complaining that we built them a stadium, they should be able to reinvest, but I hope they dont spend outside their means, and jeopardize the future of the club, just to sign one good player. I am sure on the back of the Pohlads minds, we have a very good, young back up catcher, maybe not as good, but good.

[PierBridge]

It's just a matter of time boys and girls!

[harvey lee]

I agree that the Twins cannot spend the whole team to sign Joe. It would be tough to lose Joe but we cannot give up the farm for one player.

The Twins do not have the revenue that teams like the Yankees do.

I would really hate to see Joe Mauer go but he could play for what is offered also. These players are simply to greedy.

[ANYFISH2]

I truly don't think Mauer is greedy, but the players association is! I think they are giving plenty whispers in Joe's ear to get more so as to set a precedent for the next catcher and/or star.

[KMR85]

OF course it's the MLBPA. I would think if they offered him 13-14Mil/yr for 10 years he would take it if it meant they could spend more money on a supporting cast to win the WS. The MLBPA won't let that happen cuz other star players would have to settle for less money. No salary cap really bites.

[Harmonica Bear]

Exactly

[mr_jman]

Totally agree I think Mauer is more of a Puckett type player who would stay here for less money but the league is so ridiculous about getting HUGE contracts for star players and yes Mauer is the among baseball's elite players.

I would like to nominate 4wanderingeyes for a proposterous statement award:

"we have a very good, young back up catcher, maybe not as good, but good."

LOL - No way you could put 95% of the catchers in the entire league in Joe's category, much less a backup on our team with little experience!

I'm not trying to start anything just thought that was funny and the proposterous statement award is something from The Common Man Show on KFAN!

[toughguy]

IALTO

[Harmonica Bear]

Good stuff!

You know, a guy could go through the sports forums and literally come up with our own proposterous statement awards, just from within FM.

Tough to beat this one:

"What is wrong with the Vikings? They got a Pro-Bowl caliber QB in Tarvaris Jackson just sitting on the bench."

[Jim Uran]

, maybe not as good,

maybe??? lol

[Rippinlip]

Sounds like contract talks have turned South on Mauer.......

Hope it all gets done, but latest news is iffy at best.

Maybe money and the "players union" will not let a good deal go through.

Hang on for now.

[Scott K]

I am not saying they are as good, just that it may be more smart as a team to trade Joe now and get a couple good players, and use the rookies we have at catchers, rather then pay one guy a quarter of the teams available money. If we give Joe 25 million a year, that leaves less then 75 million to pay the remaining 39 guys. If you take out Justins, and Cuddy's pay out of that 75 million, there isnt much left for the remaining 37 guys.

[Rippinlip]

Baseball needs a better revenue sharing program and a Salary Cap.

[Scott K]

Baseball needs a better revenue sharing program and a Salary Cap.

But how would that benifit Boston or the Yankees? It wouldn't, so don't count on it happening!

[Jim Uran]

If it wouldn't benefit the Yanks, it won't happen. That's a huge market.

[Born2Fish]

I kinda highly doubt they are gonna trade Joe. Im sure it sounds logical from a business standpoint, but look at how the fans may react to that. You just build yourself a new stadium then trade away the face of your team? Someone whom the fans come and pay to see play? Just does not make much sense....

[Dahitman44]

Every Day this Mauer thing goes on the more I worry about NOT signing the Baby Jesus.

We need to just get this deal done.