Is Joe Mauer still considered a potential Hall of Famer?

[drock2190]

I think he's a good player but moving to 1st base (good for longevity) hurts his case, doesn't it?

 

Not to mention, his strikeout rate has been increasing the past few years with last year almost a 4% increase (17.5%). Dan Gladden was saying the other day on the radio, Mauer hardly strikes out. A few years ago, I would have agreed with that statement though.

 

So what do you guys think, is his star fading?

[drock2190]

Title is incorrect, ugh. Don't know how to change it.

[Winston Smith]

A little work left to do, imo.

[Shane Wahl]

It's hardly debatable, barring a complete collapse.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Take a deep breath, drock

 

Mauer will get it figured out soon enough.

[Squirrel]

Title is incorrect, ugh. Don't know how to change it.

Is the title as you want it now?

[ashbury]

Is the title as you want it now?

 

I just changed it to remove the 's.

[Squirrel]

I just changed it to remove the 's.

Um. I did. Heh. Guess we both did

[ashbury]

Don't know how to change it.

 

As for this part of your post... I think you should be able to click Edit Post, and then click Go Advanced. On that screen, the title is editable. (Unless it's a moderator-only function but I doubt it.)

[raindog]

He's clearly a "potential" HoFer. He's a near lock unless his career somehow collapses.

[Craig Arko]

If he plays 150+ games a year for the remainder of his contract around his career average, it won't matter what position it's at. He'll be in, although maybe not first ballot.

[BHtwins]

There are 16 catchers in the hall of fame. He is somewhere between 5-8 in value right now.

All he is doing is padding stats at this point. He is almost assuredly in, first ballot or not.

[70charger]

Look, I'm as concerned as anybody after the first handful of games. Lots of un-Mauer-like swings.

 

But the answer to your question is yes.

[Bark's Lounge]

I'd like to think that Mauer is destined to be elected to the NBHOF, but I am from St. Paul and I am a Homer for my City Brethren. A few more .330+BA and .900OPS seasons would not hurt in sealing the deal, and of course, playing a mean 1B.

[pierre75275]

I think so bc even tho nobody here generally associates longevity with Mauer i still cant see him not getting 3000 hits

[EephusKnuckler]

I think he's a good player but moving to 1st base (good for longevity) hurts his case, doesn't it?

 

That's really the meat of this discussion now. There's the idea out there that if Joe doesn't turn into a typical slugging firstbaseman that he's somehow taken a step back. Nonsense. If he keeps doing what he's always done I think he's a shoe-in for the HOF. The numbers are there, regardless of what people's expectations are.

 

Having said that...I'd be lying if said I haven't had dreams of Joe turning into just such a power-bat 1B. He might do it, too. He's not gonna be a guy who launches 30-40 bombs a year but it's not far fetched to think he could manage around 20 per season. It would just most likely come with a noticeable dip in BA/OBP.

[DaveW]

Before today's performance I would argue he is one of the best 3 catchers to have ever played the game, but after today I think its safe to say he ranks somewhere between Junior Ortiz and Juan Castro in terms of HOF worthyness.

[Jdosen]

He won multiple (I think) Gold Gloves behind the plate, an MVP, and carries a career .404 OBP while playing the most physically demanding position in baseball. If he's not, I'll care even less about the HOF than I do now.

[twinsnorth49]

I think he gets in, as long as he continues his career averages for the most part. Question is, does it really matter that much?

[Larsbars08]

Mauer has the 3rd highest career OPS of catchers through his 10 year career. If you go by career WAR he is the 12th best catcher already, and his 7 year peak 5th overall, behind Gary Carter, Johnny Bench, Mike Piazza and Ivan Rodriguez. All of whom are or will be in the HOF. He has an outside chance this year to pass Pudge in the WAR-7 peak this year if Mauer can put up all-star caliber numbers. Mauer might not be a 1st ballot HOF, but he'll get in.

[clutterheart]

He should be in based on his body of work.

But a 2006 World Series title probably would've sealed it....damn it.

[D. Hocking]

He should be in based on his body of work.

But a 2006 World Series title probably would've sealed it....damn it.

 

This will be much less of an issue when they win in 2016.

[clank2000]

Regarding 3000 hits, he's not even halfway there. Considering that, and his injury history (not catching notwithstanding, I still see him as fragile), I don't see 3000 happening. But he gets in based on 3 batting titles while catching.

[BigTrane]

He should be in based on his body of work.

But a 2006 World Series title probably would've sealed it....damn it.

A 2016 WS Title would still seal it...

[BigTrane]

This will be much less of an issue when they win in 2016.

My thought exactly.

[tobi0040]

Regarding 3000 hits, he's not even halfway there. Considering that, and his injury history (not catching notwithstanding, I still see him as fragile), I don't see 3000 happening. But he gets in based on 3 batting titles while catching.

 

I don't think he needs 3,000 hits to get in. I agree with the sentiment that he will be forever viewed as a catcher. With a .323 average, .400 OBP, .870 OPS, and three batting titles, unless his career is cut short in the next 1-3 years he gets in.

 

I personally think his OPS stays in this range as he ages, as he will hit with more power sans the crouching and taking balls off his legs and arms.

[BigTrane]

Oops... tried to delete, but oh, well...

 

The debate, it seems, is whether or not Mauer fits the mold of a prototypical 1B.Yet, in the SABR era, in terms of OPS, he's a machine. Who would say no to his production, regardless of position? (But only really a question at 1B, because of tradition...)

 

The present question is the Twins' lack of power.

The future question is the HOF one. Different animals.

 

Since Mauer qualifies for HOF as a catcher, his 1B numbers will basically pad out his hitting.

He's just behind Thurman Munson @ #12 for catcher (JAWS) according to BB-Ref as is.

 

Too bad for the switch in positions, but it's not like it hasn't happened before- how many positions did Harmon Killebrew cycle through on the way to the HOF? Was that held against him?

[gunnarthor]

If he stopped playing today, I think he'd eventually get in. If he has 3-4 more pretty good seasons as a first baseman, I think he gets in. If his next 5 seasons are all repeats of 2011, I think that image of him drags him down and he'd have trouble getting in.