Can the Twins Afford to Release Mauer?

[laloesch]

 

Funny I don't see anyone here protecting Joe's supreme legacy.

 

please...

[laloesch]

 

I wasn't suggesting he retire.  But when that inevitable spring training story about him "feeling great!" comes back....can we all just collectively ignore it this time?  He's always going to be banged up and his production isn't going back to waht we want it to be.  

 

Acceptance of what he is at this point, that's all I ask.

 

No i am not suggesting you were suggesting that.  I am merely voicing my opinion in context with what you were saying.  If indeed he's feeling this badly AGAIN....it's time for Joe to hang it up as much as people here hate to hear that.

[Kwak]

 

I don't understand the hate for Walker.  Sure he strikes out a ton, but to say that "he'd be more embarrassing than Buxton,"  I mean come-on, tell me another one.  The guy absolutely clubs the ball and is a completely different ball player than Buxton.  Silly comparison.

Yes--Buxton can play defense!

[mikelink45]

Mauer as a catcher was great, now Mauer is a filler.  How many teams would trade their first baseman for him?  I know some would, but how many?  That is one measure of his true value.  The problem for Joe is that he is not a Torii.  He does not rally or motivate the group.  Being a fine young man is not sufficient even in MN.  

 

I expect we will keep him, but hopefully we will rest him often and let others get ABs.  Of course my biggest fear is that we might try to keep him beyond the contract.   

[spanman2]

 

Extend him.

IALTO

[DocBauer]

First and foremost, I'm not a Mauer basher or hater and never have been. In fact, I've often defended him in the past. "Afford" to release him? Well, they can afford to pay him, must pay him, so yeah, I guess they could afford to release him as well. And the whole money issue is beyond beating a dead horse. That poor old horse is a bundle of bones with a stiff and worn hide somewhere out on the prairie. Money is NOT the issue. Even if he retired tomorrow, the #1 need/issue is starting pitching and there's no FA stud out there to try and sign anyway. IF his paycheck IS an issue at all going forward, his contract is off the books in 2 more seasons regardless. Which mean, in affect, IF the Twins were to actually invest in a big money FA before 2018, they'd only be carrying Mauer and said FASP together on the books for a single season, on a young, fairly low payroll team.

 

I never expected Mauer to become a slugging 1B when he made the move. But I really thought, and hoped, we'd get a 500AB, healthier version that would resemble Mark Grace, Wally Joyner or Keith Hernandez type. (Yes, I'm dating myself somewhat there) THAT version of Mauer would still carry big value. Unfortunately, concussions, age, injury, whatever has caught up and Mauer just isn't a player of those abilities or "help" to the team. And really, except for about 3 different 2 week segments this season, he frankly hasn't been very productive. Can he still help? Yes, as part time player at 1B/DH/PH.

 

I don't expect Joe to retire this off season. But I have to tell you that I wouldn't be surprised if he did. (Or if the Twins helped him decide with a buyout of some sort) Joe knows he's not the same player/performer he was, and by now, even he has to see he never will be again. That has to be frustrating to him. He's also endured a lot of injuries that have to frustrate him as much as they physically pain him. He's also a young man with a wife and children, coming off a horribly disappointing season for his club, and quite a few changes in the organization starting at the top, which could also end up being a reduced role for him in the future. So I could absolutely see him taking time off and reflecting and deciding it's just time to move on. Especially if a buyout was offered, and perhaps even a position somewhere with the organization.

[Craig Arko]

 

Especially if a buyout was offered, and perhaps even a position somewhere with the organization.

 

New GM.

[Mike Sixel]

 

New GM.

 

Like Dave Stewart.....from player to GM....

 

and yes, I know Stewart coached some...

[spinowner]

I think all veterans get some benefit of doubt, and that's usually deserved. If Mauer is healthy in the spring I think it's reasonable to keep him at first base unless and until Vargas (or maybe Park or Kepler) force the changing of the guard. He probably never will be the offensive player of previous years but surprises can happen, like Suzuki achieving an OPS over .700 for example. And Mauer is solid at first base. Decision-making isn't as important for a first baseman as it is for other positions but he makes no mental mistakes defensively. 

[nokomismod]

 

My friend said his friend that lives next to Joe's brother, told him that Joe is thinking about quitting after the season. I naturally laughed and said BS, but it did get me thinking about what the makeup of this team would be like. The main thing I thought was, well now we can afford to keep Dozier and alleviate the logjam of first basemen.

Here's to dreamin.

I was talking about this with a couple of friends and I think Joe might retire. He is a classy guy and I don't think he feels good about how much he is making vs his contributions the past few years. In addition to that it doesn't sound like he is feeling very good anymore. Is he still having fun?

[Pardon My Dinger]

I hate to be controversial, but can the Twins afford not to release Mauer? Think about that!

[djvang]

I'd like to see Mauer at least TRY to do something different at the plate. Grounders to 2B and fly balls to LF just aren't cutting it. Try pulling the ball, swing at that cookie first pitch, stop swinging at whatever that pitch is that he grounds to 2B. What worked in his prime isn't working anymore. Try something else.

[djvang]

 

 

I was talking about this with a couple of friends and I think Joe might retire. He is a classy guy and I don't think he feels good about how much he is making vs his contributions the past few years. In addition to that it doesn't sound like he is feeling very good anymore. Is he still having fun?

Reusse predicted Mauer would retire after the season due to leg problems. Don't whether he was serious or just trolling.

[djvang]

 

 

Mauer as a catcher was great, now Mauer is a filler.  How many teams would trade their first baseman for him?  I know some would, but how many?  That is one measure of his true value.  The problem for Joe is that he is not a Torii.  He does not rally or motivate the group.  Being a fine young man is not sufficient even in MN.  

 

I expect we will keep him, but hopefully we will rest him often and let others get ABs.  Of course my biggest fear is that we might try to keep him beyond the contract.   

I think the only team that would take him would be Boston. They can afford him and those medium-deep fly balls to LF would turn out well in Fenway. But, he's got a no trade contract and he's the hometown hero here no what his production is.

[BK432]

 

I really like your points on most posts....but you could maybe be nicer in how you make them. 

 

Fair enough. I get too fired up sometimes.

[Mike Sixel]

 

Fair enough. I get too fired up sometimes.

 

We all do. Sometimes I write, and copy to email, then re-read.....then update, then post....no one should have to read my posts from years ago...

[Vanimal46]

 

We all do. Sometimes I write, and copy to email, then re-read.....then update, then post....no one should have to read my posts from years ago...

That's way too much work.... Better off to just shoot from the lip and apologize later. 

[nokomismod]

 

Reusse predicted Mauer would retire after the season due to leg problems. Don't whether he was serious or just trolling.

Didn't see that. Was it today?

If Mauer did retire after this season, Dan Barrero would lose a lot of his material.

[djvang]

 

Didn't see that. Was it today?

If Mauer did retire after this season, Dan Barrero would lose a lot of his material.

He said it on the radio last week.

[amjgt]

 

having a little fun on a Monday morning   

 

In my mystical, magical world, I'm the owner of a professional baseball team.  And I'm a successful banking executive.  Wait, scratch that last one.  I am a son of a successful banking executive AND I'm a successful banking executive.

 

A young man has just wandered into my office and says  " Hey chief, I got a great idea for you.  We have an under performing asset.  We can save money by just getting rid of it."

 

Me:  "Sounds good.  How much will it cost to make this happen?"

 

Eager Beaver:  "Only 48M over 2 years.  It's a bargain.  And we can bring in more assets!"

 

Me:  "By 48M, you mean........"

 

Eager Beaver:  "48 million dollars a year for 2 years."

 

Me:  "Son, you do understand that I'm a banker, right?"

 

Let's change some wording:

 

President of the banking division: Chief, we've got this computer system that we implemented in 2009 and it's terrible. 

 

Me: OK, let's get rid of it

 

PotBD: It's not that simple. We've got a couple more years left on our lease agreement with IBM and the cost of implementing a new one would be quite substantial

 

Me: What are we talking about?

 

PotBD: 48

 

Me: Million?

 

PotBD: Yes

 

Me: How bad is it really? Can't we just, you know.... ride it out?

 

PotBD: Well, we could, but it's really customer unfriendly and it's making people leave our bank.

 

Me: Ouch.

 

PotBD: That's not all. Occasionally, it gives our competitors free money.

 

Me: [pulls out checkbook] Who do I make this out to? 

[Jacksson]

The contract is already signed and the 46 million is owed to him.  If he is serious about CONSIDERING retirement, why not work with him and extend an offer to save his self respect.  Pay him 5 million a year over the next 10 years and give him a position within the organization for those same 10 years that he can perform from his Fort Myers home.  Perhaps a position with the instructional team or as a roving organizational catching instructor.  If he still wants to play?  Then you buy out his "no trade" clause, and ship him and 36 million to Tampa Bay for little or nothing in return and then he can DH or play 1B for them for the balance of his professional career.  The Twins save 10 million and can then move on from Joe playing 1B and batting third.

[Teflon]

I thought this was an interesting piece by Brian Murphy on Mauer's state of mind heading into the season. We know Joe recently bought another house. Not sure he would need a second Twin Cities home if he was planning to spend more time in Florida.

[Craig Arko]

I thought this was an interesting piece by Brian Murphy on Mauer's state of mind heading into the season. We know Joe recently bought another house. Not sure he would need a second Twin Cities home if he was planning to spend more time in Florida.

He's smart enough to know he wants his kids educated in Minnesota and not Florida.

[spinowner]

 

He's smart enough to know he wants his kids educated in Minnesota and not Florida.

My guess is that the kids will be attending Catholic or other private schools so it's probably not as big of a difference whether here or there as it would be for public schools.

[Mike Sixel]

 

My guess is that the kids will be attending Catholic or other private schools so it's probably not as big of a difference whether here or there as it would be for public schools.

 

Gee, which school are you guessing?

[Craig Arko]

My guess is that the kids will be attending Catholic or other private schools so it's probably not as big of a difference whether here or there as it would be for public schools.

Probably true, although Catholics are a more heterogenous group now than they used to be.

[Mr. Brooks]

The property he recently purchased is an investment.

He's not planning on moving out of Florida.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

 

how is Vargas considered a plus defender??

At this moment Fangraphs lists him 25 of 49 in UZR/150 for first basement with 200 innings (Vargas has 217.0 innings played at first). So, right at the midpoint. I've seen him higher on the list at earlier points--possibly because he would have had fewer innings with more first basemen below him.

 

By the way, Mauer is listed at 20 of 49 and Byung-Ho Park is 2 of 49 on that list. Which is no surprise as Park won fielding awards in Korea.

 

Small sample, obviously.

[jimmer]

 

At this moment Fangraphs lists him 25 of 49 in UZR/150 for first basement with 200 innings (Vargas has 217.0 innings played at first). So, right at the midpoint. I've seen him higher on the list at earlier points--possibly because he would have had fewer innings with more first basemen below him.

 

By the way, Mauer is listed at 20 of 49 and Byung-Ho Park is 2 of 49 on that list. Which is no surprise as Park won fielding awards in Korea.

 

Small sample, obviously.

Mauer has 6 DRS.  All the people above him have way more innings. He's a top 5 defensive 1B in baseball.  Vargas is at -1 DRS.  Prorating that to the amount of innings Mauer has is like -4?

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

 

Mauer has 6 DRS.  All the people above him have way more innings. He's a top 5 defensive 1B in baseball.  Vargas is at -1 DRS.  Prorating that to the amount of innings Mauer has is like -4?

Well I am only doing back-of-the-envelope stuff here.  

 

DRS is fine but what I dislike is that it looks like a counting stat, when really it's a rate stat. 

 

In general I have latched on to the UZR/150 measure because I have seen other respected commenters on the interwebs use that measure. I agree Mauer is top five defensively in all of baseball.