Joe Mauer

[darin617]

I don't want this to turn into another "lets' destroy Mauer post". My question is pretty simple, has Tom Kelly worked with Joe Mauer at all to be a better player in the field? If I am correct Justin Morneau credits TK for helping him change positions to turn into a good 1st basemen. I would like to at least see some improvement in his defensive skills. At times he just looks lost trying to play first. Step 2 would be to find his stroke and at least hit .300. We know the power will not return but at least get the average back. 

PS I can't wait for 2018 to be over with...

[nicksaviking]

Monitor has also been credited with being gifted defensive instructor. Joe seems past the age of improvement, perhaps he could, but I don't think he's going to learn any new tricks. If he could, I think I'd prefer he learn to play corner OF. It would be nice if he at least had some defensive flexibility.

[Danchat]

 

Monitor has also been credited with being gifted defensive instructor. Joe seems past the age of improvement, perhaps he could, but I don't think he's going to learn any new tricks. If he could, I think I'd prefer he learn to play corner OF. It would be nice if he at least had some defensive flexibility.

Eh... we have Buxton, Hicks, Rosario, Arcia, and Kepler [would he take over 1B?]. I'd rather not have Mauer as a liability in the outfield and a minor liability at the plate too. 

[darin617]

I know one spot where he would not in either would be as a broadcaster. Could you imagine a Joe Mauer Tom Kelly tandem doing a broadcast? They would put everyone to sleep by the 2nd inning. 

[stringer bell]

Torii really has had a good game.

[walt-o-meal]

 

I know one spot where he would not in either would be as a broadcaster. Could you imagine a Joe Mauer Tom Kelly tandem doing a broadcast? They would put everyone to sleep by the 2nd inning. 

I love listening to TK when he's in the booth.  Not the classic broadcaster's voice, but so much knowledge and insight.  

[twinsnorth49]

 

I know one spot where he would not in either would be as a broadcaster. Could you imagine a Joe Mauer Tom Kelly tandem doing a broadcast? They would put everyone to sleep by the 2nd inning. 

[jimmer]

 

I know one spot where he would not in either would be as a broadcaster. Could you imagine a Joe Mauer Tom Kelly tandem doing a broadcast? They would put everyone to sleep by the 2nd inning. 

I have no doubt I'd like that more than Dick and Bert.  By like 200 times more.  At least it'd be intelligent.

[Teflon]

Serious question - would Joe Mauer's pride and the realization of his fall-off ever make him consider retiring before his contract is up?

[darin617]

 

Serious question - would Joe Mauer's pride and the realization of his fall-off ever make him consider retiring before his contract is up?

Please, please, please, say it is so Joe.

[jimmer]

Mauer, for his career, has provided 272.5M worth of on-field value.  That's before what he's been worth to the team otherwise. When he finishes this contract, he still wont have been paid close to that.  Was anyone upset he was getting paid so little (relative to value)when he was providing 30M+ and 40M+ value and he was getting paid like 6-10M?

[Secondary User]

 

Mauer, for his career, has provided 272.5M worth of on-field value.  That's before what he's been worth to the team otherwise. When he finishes this contract, he still wont have been paid close to that.  Was anyone upset he was getting paid so little (relative to value)when he was providing 30M+ and 40M+ value and he was getting paid like 6-10M?

 

You all just got truth bombed

[Mike Sixel]

I don't care about the money. It is the roster space for a rapidly declining player.....

[Boom Boom]

Mauer, for his career, has provided 272.5M worth of on-field value. That's before what he's been worth to the team otherwise. When he finishes this contract, he still wont have been paid close to that. Was anyone upset he was getting paid so little (relative to value)when he was providing 30M+ and 40M+ value and he was getting paid like 6-10M?

Putting aside my objections to the practice of assigning a dollar value to a player's on-field contributions for a moment.

 

The real issue isn't the contract unless the Twins start using that as an excuse to not spend in other areas. The Twins already spent that money, whether they've signed the checks yet or not. The issue with Mauer is whether he's the best first baseman in the system, and if not, do they have the huevos to ask him to step aside for the good of the baseball team.

 

Rod Carew is a hall-of-famer, but it probably isn't a great idea to run him out at first base because of how good he used to be.

[USAFChief]

 

Putting aside my objections to the practice of assigning a dollar value to a player's on-field contributions for a moment.

The real issue isn't the contract unless the Twins start using that as an excuse to not spend in other areas. The Twins already spent that money, whether they've signed the checks yet or not. The issue with Mauer is whether he's the best first baseman in the system, and if not, do they have the huevos to ask him to step aside for the good of the baseball team.

Rod Carew is a hall-of-famer, but it probably isn't a great idea to run him out at first base because of how good he used to be.

And even if you could, somehow, accurately assign a dollar value, what he was "worth" in 2007 doesn't have any relationship to what he is "worth" in 2015.  

 

Because I got a great deal on a car in 2007 doesn't mean I shouldn't care about spending way too much on maintenance today.

[Seth Stohs]

Is there a reason why this anti-Joe Mauer thread isn't just included in one of the 59 others in the forums? Did it need it's own for some reason?

 

To answer the original poster, TK and Joe work a ton together in spring training. He also puts in time during the season and has become a solid guy at first base. 

[Boom Boom]

Is there a reason why this anti-Joe Mauer thread isn't just included in one of the 59 others in the forums? Did it need it's own for some reason?

 

To answer the original poster, TK and Joe work a ton together in spring training. He also puts in time during the season and has become a solid guy at first base.

C'mon, Seth... you're an admin, lock it up if it's so redundant, or I would suggest just not reading any threads with Joe in the title.

 

There's not a whole lot of positives to say about Joe right now, and it's a major issue.

[RichardMcBeef]

Mauer looks solid in the field, and while his bat hasn't been great, he has been pretty "clutch" which helps. He definitely is one of the best 9 on the Twins currently, talking him retiring is just foolish. 2018 may be a bit painful if he regresses more, but we always knew that could be the case with any long term deal.

[Platoon]

The pick that Mauer made to end the game the other night on that god awful through by EE, was not easy. He made it look like he was picking up one of the twins. Mauer may not be a prototypical bat at first base, but his defense there is so far down the list of things the Twins need to address in the off season, Ryan would have to look down those little reading glasses of his to see it.

[HitInAPinch]

 

Serious question - would Joe Mauer's pride and the realization of his fall-off ever make him consider retiring before his contract is up?

Honestly, would you?

[Thegrin]

Joe Mauer has a .351 batting average with runners in scoring position.  This is topped only by Sano's .366 average.   I'll take Joe's stats any day.   

[lukeduke1980]

Does anyone track whom in the league hits the most 3-hoppers back to the pitcher?  

[RichardMcBeef]

These threads should be fun to look back on after Mauer leads the Twins to a world series title this year or next by hitting something like .450 in the playoffs with 3 HR and 10 RBI

[Teflon]

 

Honestly, would you?

 

If I already had loads of money (check), was now being widely criticized where I was once universally praised (check) and realized my game had declined past my own standards (not sure on this one) - yes, I would. 

 

I would go to that nice cabin in the woods in the summer and hang out with my wife and kids. Check on my investments from time to time. Accept that ceremonial front office position the Twins will offer me to show up for a few functions each year. Fund some scholarships for Cretin kids. Open an instructional hitting camp in Fort Myers...

[Loosey]

I've been very critical of Mauer this year.  However, his defense is not the part of his game I would be critical of.  Is he gold glove caliber? No.  But I think he is very solid there. 

 

One other thing I thought might be of note to point out (It is only one data point actually) but before Mauer got "concussed up" in 2013 he was a .320ish career hitter with an .880 OPS. 

 

Compare that to Justin Morneau.  Before his concussion he was a .290-.300ish hitter with an .880 OPS.  He played 2 and half seasons after that concussion where he struggled, both with power and hitting for average.  However in his 3rd full season back he ended up winning the NL batting title.

 

I know they are both completely different people, but I believe that something happened with Joe's timing/hand eye coordination after his concussion.  And I hope that 2 plus season removed from it, like Morneau, will bring back that timing and coordination.

 

It could be a stretch to believe that and that it could improve, but Morneau improved, maybe so can Mauer.

[RichardMcBeef]

 

If I already had loads of money (check), was now being widely criticized where I was once universally praised (check) and realized my game had declined past my own standards (not sure on this one) - yes, I would. 

 

I would go to that nice cabin in the woods in the summer and hang out with my wife and kids. Check on my investments from time to time. Accept that ceremonial front office position the Twins will offer me to show up for a few functions each year. Fund some scholarships for Cretin kids. Open an instructional hitting camp in Fort Myers...

He isn't being widely criticized, only a small number of rubes are the ones booing him. Also there are other people who are reliant on him while he continues to play: His agent, obviously, PR Team, etc. NTM the entire MLB players union.

[twinsnorth49]

 

If I already had loads of money (check), was now being widely criticized where I was once universally praised (check) and realized my game had declined past my own standards (not sure on this one) - yes, I would. 

 

I would go to that nice cabin in the woods in the summer and hang out with my wife and kids. Check on my investments from time to time. Accept that ceremonial front office position the Twins will offer me to show up for a few functions each year. Fund some scholarships for Cretin kids. Open an instructional hitting camp in Fort Myers...

http://www.reactiongifs.com/r/bill-murray-420.gif

[jimmer]

I think when people say they would give away 69M, they are only kidding themselves.

[spanman2]

According to ESPN:

 

By Situation AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB HBP SO SB CS AVG OBP SLG OPS

None On 285 6 68 15 0 6 6 16 0 51 0 0 .239 .279 .354 .633

Runners On 171 47 54 8 2 2 47 29 1 32 1 1 .316 .410 .421 .831

Scoring Position 94 37 33 3 2 1 42 23 1 18 1 0 .351 .467 .457 .924

Bases Loaded 11 4 5 0 1 0 10 0 0 3 0 0 .455 .455 .636 1.091

Lead Off Inning 80 1 18 4 0 1 1 4 0 13 0 0 .225 .262 .313 .575

Scoring Posn, 2 out 37 18 11 1 1 1 17 12 1 8 0 0 .297 .480 .459 .939

 

Not a liability at 1b when it comes to fielding. Also not the "normal" power numbers one expects from a 1st baseman. However when his teammates are on the numbers seem to tell a story of producing. Clearly when he leads off or the bases are empty the avg is sub par.

[Dr. Evil]

There's no rule that says a team's power must come from the corner infielders and the corner outfielders. The team as a whole seems to get enough home runs. His defense is adequate and his hitting productivity is far from being our most glaring offensive weakness. I catch myself getting annoyed with him at times just like a lot of people do though.