67 replies to this topic

[PFSIKH]

http://sports.espn.g...tory?id=5016230

Holy smokes the bar for catchers just went wwwwaaayyyyy uuuuuuppp!!!!

Over under 2015 that contract becomes too expensive for Twins?

[DLJ]

I think he's worth it.

[PFSIKH]

I think he's worth it.

Seeing he is 26, he probably is, but that is a huge chunk of change for a catcher.

[AirForceJetFan]

Great move by the twins. Mauer isn't just a catcher though, he's the face of that franchise and rightfully so. It's about time their cheap ass owner opened his wallet to keep some home grown talent in at twins uniform. Minnesota is a damn good baseball city and continue to support that team despite a FO that is almost never willing to do what it takes to win.

[PFSIKH]

Great move by the twins. Mauer isn't just a catcher though, he's the face of that franchise and rightfully so. It's about time their cheap ass owner opened his wallet to keep some home grown talent in at twins uniform. Minnesota is a damn good baseball city and continue to support that team despite a FO that is almost never willing to do what it takes to win.

Good to see ya out of Iraq.

I wonder if the Twins owners are expecting a windfall from there new stadium? 20 million per year for a team that spent 67 million on salary. Granted, it will probably be a few years before he earns that as I imagine it is loaded in the back end of the contract.

I agree with you wholeheartedly on him being the face of the franchise.

Colin Cowherd made that point about being the face of the franchise a few weeks back. The Sox and Yanks could use him, but he is not going to put too many (if any) more people in the seats in Boston/New York. He will in Minnesota.

[InstantClassic]

This doesn't bode well for the Braves.

[AirForceJetFan]

Good to see ya out of Iraq.

I wonder if the Twins owners are expecting a windfall from there new stadium? 20 million per year for a team that spent 67 million on salary. Granted, it will probably be a few years before he earns that as I imagine it is loaded in the back end of the contract.

I agree with you wholeheartedly on him being the face of the franchise.

Colin Cowherd made that point about being the face of the franchise a few weeks back. The Sox and Yanks could use him, but he is not going to put too many (if any) more people in the seats in Boston/New York. He will in Minnesota.

Nice to be out of Iraq...now I'm down to 8 more months in Korea before I head back to England for 3 years

You're right about the contract in terms of percentage of the team payroll that Mauer will take up. His deal alone will be about a 25% increase in team payroll. It's a huge jump so Twins fans should probably expect a nice little increase in ticket/concession prices.

[PFSIKH]

Nice to be out of Iraq...now I'm down to 8 more months in Korea before I head back to England for 3 years

You're right about the contract in terms of percentage of the team payroll that Mauer will take up. His deal alone will be about a 25% increase in team payroll. It's a huge jump so Twins fans should probably expect a nice little increase in ticket/concession prices.

Hell yeah.

Their FO cannot afford to miss many picks. They need to keep their farm system producing as they have little room for error.

[Jetsfan80]

There are, what, 3 or 4 solid all-around catchers anymore? I suppose they come at a premium. You never hear of a contract near this magnitude for the best catchers in the past, though.

[NIGHT STALKER]

Good to see ya out of Iraq.

I wonder if the Twins owners are expecting a windfall from there new stadium? 20 million per year for a team that spent 67 million on salary. Granted, it will probably be a few years before he earns that as I imagine it is loaded in the back end of the contract.

I agree with you wholeheartedly on him being the face of the franchise.

Colin Cowherd made that point about being the face of the franchise a few weeks back. The Sox and Yanks could use him, but he is not going to put too many (if any) more people in the seats in Boston/New York. He will in Minnesota.

I don't know what your Sux have in their farm system as far as catcher prospects, but the 27 WS Champs (had to throw that in) have two above average prospects in Romine and Montero. Mauer would have been more of a luxury than a necessity for the Yanks.

[Ghost]

I'm not a baseball fan at all, but isn't this too much money for a catcher?

[CrazyCarl40]

I'm not a baseball fan at all, but isn't this too much money for a catcher?

Not for the best hitting catcher in the game. He would have gotten the same on the open market if not more from a team like the Sox or Yanks. Catchers, and good ones for that matter, are a rare commodity.

[Scott Dierking]

I don't know what your Sux have in their farm system as far as catcher prospects, but the 27 WS Champs (had to throw that in) have two above average prospects in Romine and Montero. Mauer would have been more of a luxury than a necessity for the Yanks.

Since when has that ever stopped one of the big market clubs?

[NIGHT STALKER]

Since when has that ever stopped one of the big market clubs?

I think even for the Yanks it would have been a bit over the top.

[Scott Dierking]

I think even for the Yanks it would have been a bit over the top.

They had an All-Star in Jeter, yet traded for A-Rod.

There are questions whether Montero's best position will ultimately be catcher.

"Over the top" keeps getting re-defined. The Yanks are not alone in that class.

[Guido Monzino]

Great move for the Twins. And a great move for baseball.

[Scott Dierking]

Great move for the Twins. And a great move for baseball.

Agreed.

The Padres should try to keep Adrian Gonzalez also. Same story of a hometown kid that a franchise needs.

[Jetsfan80]

The most amazing part about this is that the Twins are traditionally one of the cheapest organizations in sports. I've heard the players don't even fly first class. The fact that they gave Mauer nearly $200 million is shocking to say the least.

[Maxman]

They had an All-Star in Jeter, yet traded for A-Rod.

There are questions whether Montero's best position will ultimately be catcher.

"Over the top" keeps getting re-defined. The Yanks are not alone in that class.

The Yankees had the ability to see that ARod was out of position at SS. So they were the only team in MLB that saw him as a third baseman. Brilliant move Cashman.

[Scott Dierking]

The Yankees had the ability to see that ARod was out of position at SS. So they were the only team in MLB that saw him as a third baseman. Brilliant move Cashman.

Funny how brilliant money can make you.