Mauer's body of work at C is both long enough and impressive enough to get him into the HOF even if he doesn't play another game anywhere. Unquestionably the best catcher in the game for the past decade. Yadi may get himself into the HOF as well, but it will be primarily as a defender and team leader, as his lifetime numbers aren't even close to Mauer's offensively. Posey will almost certainly switch positions - probably even earlier than Mauer.

For me, it is really just a question of where he ranks all-time as a catcher. I think there are only like 13 HOF catchers, and he should be in that class. Where he won't get now is into that upper echelon with Bench and Berra, or even the 2nd tier with Ivan. It hurts his legacy, and he knows it. "Selfless" might not be the word I would choose, but it is definitely a sacrifice from a legacy standpoint.

I am not a 'Joe Mauer is the savior' kind of guy, but I certainly respect him.

This move looks to cover all bases. It more carefully protects him to continue to be a capable and available husband and father, and it increases the odds that he will be a productive member of the Twins for the life of his contract.

Very difficult to find fault with this decision.

Good stuff here, puts my mind a bit at ease to see some stats in black and white.