Mauer, Twins Close to Deal?
by Jesse on Mar 21, 2010 5:23 PM EDT
in News
31 comments
Update: 4:25pm
Ken Rosenthal believes that Shapiro's appearance in Fort Myers is a strong indication that negotiations could be in the final stages.
What makes these updates a little different is that they're coming from national sources. But we'll find out.
Maybe for real this time?
ESPN's Buster Olney has an Insider article talking about rumored progress in the Joe Mauer extension negotiations, and he mentions that Mauer's agent Ron Shapiro was seen at the Fort Myers airport this afternoon. Yes, it's circumstantial, but really I think we're all looking for any bit of information right now.
Olney also says that the industry expectation is for an eight to ten year extension that would average $20 to $25 million per season, which is essentially the same information that's been floated around through WCCO's Mark Rosen and KFAN's Common Man in the two premature signing announcements we've heard this off-season.
One final point that Olney mentions, and we've talked about it here before:
Assuming a Mauer deal is completed, a major challenge for the Twins -- who have evolved from a small-market team into a club with a mid-range budget -- is how they can compete while paying one player such a high percentage of their payroll.
It's a legitimate concern, and I still think that's part of the reason the Twins have been moving to sign players under team control to long-term contracts. Payroll certainty, people!
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Enticing as this is
There have been too many “close to” reports at this point. I won’t get excited until it’s official.
by MarshalltheIrish on Mar 21, 2010 2:51 PM EDT reply actions
Has anyone else...
Spent the last 1 to 2 weeks envisioning what the Twins could be doing in the future with Wilson Ramos and that 20-25 million being spent elsewhere?
Heresy, I know. But this tidbit requires me to re-shift my expectations.
I'm still fantasizing about what we'll get in a trade for Ramos
And about seeing a future hall-of-famer’s entire career playing for my favorite team, etc. But I see your point too. Actually, under just about any other circumstances, I’d be really excited about seeing Ramos come up and take over the catcher spot.
Irreplaceable
What are they going to do, keep Ramos and pay for 5 Nick Puntos instead?
There'll be plenty of room for Ramos...
as the split DH/C with Mauer for the next 5-6 years. With Kubel moving to either LF (if Delmon doesn’t break out this year) or RF (after 2011, the last year of Cuddyer’s deal). What’s really exciting is that as great as our offense is right now, it should only get better in the next few years with the talent that’s on the way.
Keep him.
I think you absolutely hold onto Wilson Ramos unless you’re floored by a trade offer (#1/2 starter or an above-average, young middle-infielder). As stated above, he’ll get plenty of playing time as a part-time DH/catcher starting next season. The Twins will keep only one of Cuddyer/Kubel after the 2011 season and this might be Delmon Young’s last chance to prove he can play.
With Ramos in the fold, you can trade a Kubel, Cuddyer or Morneau and shift the players around a bit, save $10+ million and net some decent prospects in return.
by TheBlackFreighter on Mar 21, 2010 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't see us trading productive regulars for prospects for a while
And don’t really want to see it unless a Revere or something is totally making one of them irrelevant, or the team completely goes in the tank. I think the Twins rightly see their mission as winning a WS in Mauer’s prime.
As for being backup catcher/DH, I wouldn’t hate it, but his value’s highest as a full-time catcher, which means with another team. I mean, I think he projects as a good-hitting catcher, but a somewhat weak DH. As you said, get a good pitcher or infielder for him with similar prospect bonafides.
I think we may need Ramos this year
I’d keep him untill Morales proves he’s healthy and effective. As long as he spends a few weeks in the minors he won’t burn a year of control. I suspect his super 2 year will be someone else’s problem.
by Jon Kammerer on Mar 21, 2010 4:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Sure
He doesn’t need to go the minute Mauer signs his deal. Hopefully, he excels in the minors this year, and either at the deadline or next winter he’s prime trade bait for other talent.
by Eric in Madison on Mar 21, 2010 5:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Berra & Howard?
I love that they complement each other. It’s not entirely fair to Ramos but for at least the first couple years he can break into the big leagues really easily. Morales gets 1 year, maybe before he’s traded?
Yes, I'd rather trade Morales
If he can hit like he has, he’ll be a valuable trade chip. I have a hard time believing they could get enough in return for Ramos.
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
If it were any other player I'd agree with that first sentence.
I even mean players of his caliber, Santana, Pujols, or A-Rod. If it were any of them, or even Joe Mauer on another team I don’t know if they’d really be worth spending all that money. However, Joe Mauer in Minnesota is a special case. The cash cow he is because of his roots combined with his stardom make him actually worth that money. I truly believe that even with competitive teams the Twins revenue drops significantly with Joe Mauer out of the picture.
There are those of us that recognize how the team could possibly be better without Mauer just because of all the money he’ll tie up but that’s assuming the payroll stays at 95 to 100 million. I truly don’t believe it would whether the Twins were to keep winning or not. Therefore, I think losing Joe Mauer would free up maybe 10-15 million rather than 20-25 million.
Peyton's good but have you ever heard of Jeff George?
Well, think of it this way...
…the amount we’ll be paying Joe each season is close to the same amount by which we’ve expanded payroll this season. And we’ve fielded competitive teams before, right? We’ll just do the same thing we’ve always done (small market mindset, efficient use of funds, excellent farm system and timely trades), except +Mauer. I can live with that.
http://www.realityfish.com
by Robin G on Mar 21, 2010 3:43 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
+7
I love Twins Baseball and Minnesota Vikings Football.
by Percy Harvin My Fav! on Mar 21, 2010 6:03 PM EDT up reply actions
He's worth it
If it does get done, the salary will be daunting but still worth it in this case- at least for the first half or so of the deal. Mauer takes a team from average to playoff contention, and from above average to World Series contention. Can the Twins assemble an above average 24-man team for $75 million? They’ve done it before and there’s some good talent in the minors.
Ramos should be traded, either when he’s at peak value (MLB ready) or the need arises. He should be ready pretty soon anyway. The Twins don’t have the luxury of using him as a role player. He’s a starting-caliber catcher, quite possibly an above average one, and the Twins need to leverage that asset into something they can really use.
Ramos......
Well, picture the current Joe Nathan scenario.
What would the Twins do if Joe Mauer went down for a season.
You can afford to keep Ramos and hope that he only gets better the next 2-3-4-5 years.
Morales is he one to try and trade at some point!
Visit www.TwinsCards.com and check out "rosters" to see my collection!
You can't proceed that way
It’s a waste of resources. Yes, if Mauer gets hurt it would be nice to have him, but that isn’t the best use of him. It would be even nicer to have a good two-way third baseman, or a long-term answer at one of the middle infield positions. That’s the sort of thing you might be able to leverage with Ramos.
Second, it’s a little unfair to Ramos. He has a chance to be an above average major league catcher; that’s valuable and could earn him a lot of money. He deserves a chance to make that happen, which it would not if he were backing up Mauer.
by Eric in Madison on Mar 21, 2010 5:29 PM EDT up reply actions
NOoooooo
such a horrible misuse of a high quality resource.
Ramos should not be traded for anything less than a starting position player, a #2 starter or multiple decent prospects. If the Twins can’t get that for him then they need to hold on to him until they can. Unless things get derailed badly for Ramos, he will command that sort of offer eventually.
Yes
Rah Rah Ramos is way too valuable, and his value will only increase after this year. Keep him at least until we know Morales is a competent back-up. Only trade him for a significant upgrade at a position of need.
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
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