Red Sox interested in Joe Mauer for 2011
by Randy Booth on Dec 23, 2008 11:32 AM EST
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PrintTwins' catcher Joe Mauer doesn't become a free agent until December 2010, but apparently the Red Sox are already "salivating" over acquiring the best catcher in the league:
As the Mark Teixeira free-agent negotiations go, so might go the market for Joe Mauer, who can become a free agent after the 2010 season.
Teixeira, 28, is seeking a deal in excess of $20 million a season. Mauer, 25, the Twins' two-time batting champion and Gold Glove catcher, next season will be the Twins' third-highest paid player at $10.5 million. He'll make $12.5 million in 2010.
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People in the know say the Boston Red Sox already are salivating over Mauer, who would be only 27 as a free agent. There have been no talks this winter about extending the St. Paul native's contract, in part because Mauer's value after last season is at a premium, and it's uncertain whether the seismic downturn in the nation's economy will affect baseball salaries a year from now.
It makes sense if the Red Sox re-sign Jason Varitek to a two-year deal because then when Varitek's contract is up, Mauer is slated to become a free agent. But if the Sox have to go the next two years with a weak Varitek bat in the lineup almost every day, it might not be worth it.
Also, if this is true, we don't even know if Mauer will even hit the open market. The Twins will definitely try to lock him up, but it's a question of money. The Twins have lost stars before (see: Santana, Johan) because they don't have the money to retain them.
Mauer as a Red Sox? Yes, please!
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Too much money
I don’t wanna be the Yanks, developing or trading for a young catcher is much sexier.
I also don’t think he’s the best catcher in the game, he’s second only to McCann. Yes, there, I said it, I have a mancrush on Brian McCann.
Mother---- him and John Wayne!
Really? You think Brian McCann is better than Mauer? I like McCann, but c’mon…
by Randy Booth on Dec 23, 2008 11:50 AM EST up reply actions
Mauer vs. McCann
I think Mauer is by far the better player in comparison to McCann. McCann certainly has more power, but Mauer’s last three OBPs have been: .413 .382 and .429. There are very few people in the league who are as good at getting on base as Mauer is, and absolutely no catchers who can do that. Plus, Mauer is widely regarded as the best defensive catcher in baseball, whereas McCann’s defensive skills are often derided.
by Gnick on Dec 23, 2008 12:21 PM EST up reply actions
Let's not get ahead of ourselves
We’re not MFY fans.
BTW, Mauer is from Minnesota. He may like playing for the hometown fans.
I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.
That’s what I’m thinking too, but he could make A LOT of money as a free agent.
by Randy Booth on Dec 23, 2008 12:45 PM EST up reply actions
I'm sure he will too.
I hope the Twins sign him long-term. He seems like a lifer.
And how does his D project long-term? I thought I remember hearing talk of moving to 1B, though I don’t remember if the thought was preserving his health long-term.
Manny ain't the only bad man.
Not mention, just like Santana was brought up, Mauer could go the same route, as in, if the Twin don’t think they’ll be able to afford to keep him and trade him away before free agency. They did this with Street as well, so I won’t rule that out at all.
If that does happen, the question is now what prospects would it cost and what prospects would we be willing to part with.
Not to mention
The problem with looking so far in advance is we have no idea what will happen. Injuries could hit Mauer, he might completely derail and end up as a DH or 1B. There might be better options for cheaper by that date. Not to mention the roster composition of any team is going to be difficult to accurately predict out into the future. Not that I doubt Mauer is on the radar … as he is on the radar of probably every team out there — just noting that I’m sure by “Red Sox Salivating” it means “Every team in baseball is keeping tabs on all potential high profile FA’s in the immediate and later future”.
Not to Mention
Even if he decided to leave for FA for the money. Even if we talk to him and give him a good offer to come play for the Sox. The MFY will swoop in last second and pay him more then he is worth to play for them.
What?…….Too soon?
Pujols is available that year too, IIRC.
2012 could be fun.
Clutch: A measurement of how much better or worse a player does in high leverage situations than he would have done in a context neutral environment. http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/glossary/
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