Twins Might Offer Mauer (7/120) - Speculation

[TwinsBrewersWorldSeries]

There is a significant amount of buzz up in the cities that the Twins are preparing to offer Mauer in the neighborhood of 7/120. The late season push for the playoffs is definitely amounting to good PR for the team after a largely disappointing first five months of the season. I see this as huge on two fronts... 1) Mauer obviously wants to be in a place where he feels his team can win. 2) This should boost fan interest/involvement heading into the 2010 opening of target field. While Cuddy has been the hottest player in the recent push for the division title, the #1 goal of the offseason is to resign Mauer. Joe has said he won't negotiate during the season, but it looks like the front office is finally getting their ducks in a row.

 

So, simply put, how would Mauer/MLB view a 7/120 offer? I think its going to take closer to 7/160 to keep him here, though it might be possible to do 7/140 + 20 million in incentives. To relate this to the Brewers, if Prince said he's stay for 7/120, would do you that deal (start the deal in 2010 and rip up current contract essentially making it 5 years of FA)?

[dadofandrew]

I'd offer it to Mauer before Prince, because if Mauer injures a knee, he can DH, and that's not an option for Prince, with the Crew at least. The years are far more of a concern that the per year money.

[ELCABALLO45]

Mauer will get more, but he is a hometown boy so I could see him accepting this offer.

 

That doesn't mean the Twins should give him that much money however.

[Invader3K]

For the Twins though, it would be nice to see them retain a key player after years of trading away some of their best guys. I know they signed Morneau to a big extension, and I bet they would like to see "M & M" as their two core players for the next half decade plus, especially with Target Field opening next year.

 

I wish the Brewers could do something similar with Fielder, as his combo with Braun is almost unbeatable. Too bad Satan is his agent.

[TwinsBrewersWorldSeries]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/10/mauer-not-really-interested-in-being-bestpaid.html

 

Mauer not interested in being highest paid MLB athlete, he's more interested in winning. Looks like a great deal could be hinging on if the Twins make the playoffs this season. I think he's also sending a clear signal that the Twins need to make some moves to improve the roster this offseason (JJ Hardy?) or he's leaving. The Twins traded for OC, but if they had made any kind of significant move back in July/August, they'd probably have a playoff spot locked by now. Its actually pretty amazing that they are only a game out considering how awful their pitching (by Twins standards) was this season.

[Invader3K]

And somewhere BoSox and Yankees fans are slobbering all over themselves.