SI.com's Jon Heyman: Mauer Contract Rumors

Heyman writes in generalities about Mauer and the Twins and their contract talks, giving details while hedging bets by using phrases like "indications are", "word is" and "is said by sources". I like Heyman, so I'm not trying to sound as if I doubt what he's saying, but a lot of this is stuff that's been fairly common knowledge for some time.

What's interesting is the angle that Mauer is being patient because he's giving the organization a chance to put their team together for next summer, before engaging in what are likely to become super-king-kong-mega negotiations. Heyman rationalizes that Mauer's a team player and all-around good guy, and using that kind of logic is a good way to bring us from Point A (Mauer as a great guy) to Point B (team-oriented even in contract negotiations). There's no smoking gun, but it makes sense.

about 2 years ago Jesse 12 comments 0 recs |

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Not much you can say

I think a lot of this is just to generate buzz that contract negotiation are coming or are in progress.

I never put much faith in the details of the progress of negotiations. They are negotiations. Each side has a vested interest in how their progress is perceived. Seems like bad faith for either side to divulge too many details.

by DavidRF on Jan 11, 2010 3:15 PM EST reply actions

Ever since his HoF article, I have a great dislike for Heyman.

However, the time this contract is taking is starting to drive me crazy. I wish they hadn’t said anything about it [hopefully] being done by Christmas.

"You can't sit on a lead and run a few plays into the line and just kill the clock. You've got to throw the ball over the damn plate and give the other man his chance. That's why baseball is the greatest game of them all." -Earl Weaver

by fischean on Jan 11, 2010 3:18 PM EST reply actions

+1

I won’t listen to anything Heyman says anymore, after his ridiculous semantic obsession with what “dominant” is in stretching for a reason to not vote for Bert.

by MCA1 on Jan 11, 2010 6:20 PM EST up reply actions

+1

by what_would_gil_thorp_do on Jan 12, 2010 1:09 AM EST up reply actions

I'm developing nervous tics during this wait.

http://www.realityfish.com

by Robin G on Jan 11, 2010 3:44 PM EST reply actions

7 years, $150 million

would be a GREAT deal for the Twins. Almost too good, frankly. If that gets it done, they should be thrilled.

by Eric in Madison on Jan 11, 2010 5:36 PM EST reply actions

Probably a little more

I’m guessing $170M but that’s actually a good deal for both sides. 7 years is just about perfect for Joe. He’ll only be 34 when the contract is up and if he doesn’t have a ring yet he’ll still have a chance to go after one, perhaps with a position change at that time.

by DJL44 on Jan 11, 2010 5:44 PM EST up reply actions

From Mauer's perspective...

…I don’t think 7/150 is so overly generous:
1. He wants to play for the Twins and he’s smart enough not to trade basic job satisfaction for money (especially when you’ll still have more than you know what to do with).
2. He knows 30 million a year would hamstring the Twins for the length of his contract and increase the chance he’d become an albatross. A smaller contract means more winning.
3. And don’t underestimate the bad things that could happen between now and free agency next offseason, from a minor disaster like another 2007-like season to a major injury. He’s not giving up 30 million/year, he’s giving up the chance of 30 million/year if things continue to go right.

So anyway, 7/150, yes please, and take your time with it, but please, if you don’t mind, hurry the heck up about it.

(actually, I’d do 10/200 to if you want to go that route. My 1-year-old needs to grow up on Mauer.)

by Luke in MN on Jan 11, 2010 10:25 PM EST up reply actions

Word is...

I’m interested in hearing what “people” are saying around the league, even it it’s total speculation. Considering that Holliday got 7 for 120M, If Mauer really accepted an offer of 7 for 150M, he’d be doing them a big favor. He probably could get 30M/yr from the YankSox. The Twins could never afford that though. Seven for 170M seems more realistic. That would be painful for the Twins, but not kill them. And it’s still below market rate for the best player in the league. But if he wants to play for his home team, he shouldn’t feel pressure to chase additional millions he doesn’t need. I’m optimistic this will work out — though also nervous about that big a salary commitment at an injury prone position. Paying 25 million a year 8 years from now is a pretty sincere commitment.

by by jiminy on Jan 11, 2010 10:08 PM EST reply actions

I think ,,,

The whole thing has been blown way out of proportion by the fans and the media. Joe wants to stay. The Twins brass want him to stay. The Twins fans want him to stay. Even fans outside Minnesota (including many in NY and Boston) want him to stay. And I think Shapiro wants whatever Joe wants.

Even if a formal deal hasn’t been negotiated yet, I have a sneaky suspicion that both sides know what that deal is going to look like and are happy with it.

by sploorp on Jan 12, 2010 2:10 AM EST reply actions

is it going to be?

Family 4 pack season tix to Valleyfaire
TC Bear appearance at all family birthdays
Cuddyer as his personal Merlin
LNP as his personal errand boy
Thurs. night bowling night with Gardy
A powder blue suit and top hat with and even longer cane
and once a year a TC Bear v Goldie Gopher death match in the backyard
oh and 17.77 million a year – go lucky 7’s!

by caluofmn on Jan 12, 2010 11:20 AM EST up reply actions