Theory: Less is More with Joe Mauer

[Brandon Warne]

Wrote an article today on a theory I've been developing about Joe Mauer:

 

http://coldomaha.com/2017/twins/theory-less-is-more-with-joe-mauer/

 

As always, love to discuss and hear critiques, etc.

[diehardtwinsfan]

cannot argue with any of what you said. He needs some days off... especially against lefties.

[Steve Lein]

Just from the title: Yes.

 

After reading said article: Yes.

[rghrbek]

Completely agree.  If they platooned Joe 90% (arbitrary percentage here) playing him against a lefty only when he is hot or our righty combos don't make sense, would curb his wear and tear significantly.  Will they pinch hit for him against a lefty?  I doubt Molly does this, although he should.

 

The more you rest him as well, the easier it is to bring him in off the bench as a defensive replacement or a pinch hitter (walker I mean)...

[Thrylos]

Pretty intriguing hypothesis so I crunched some numbers from his game logs.  I looked at his performance in games in 2016, in which he had a day or more of rest.   Here are the results:

 

27 games, 116 PA, 21 H, 11 BB, 21 K.  This translates to a .200 BA and .267 OBP, which is much worse than what he did in games without rest.  

So rest is not the culprit here based on data.

 

On the other hand, he hit .224/.291/.319, 83 OPS+, 19 k% , 8.7 BB% vs LHPs and .272/.383/.410, 112 OPS+, 15.4 K% 15.1 BB% vs RHPs

 

So sitting him against LHPs might be enough of a solution

[nicksaviking]

I'm all for it, and I'd guess Molitor would be on board initially.

 

However I could also see Molitor sliding back to full-time Mauer if Park/Vargas or whomever else is Mauer's RH platoon mate struggles.

[Willihammer]

I'm not sure playing less would have avoided the quad strain. The more important takeaway from last year IMO is use the DL for injuries like this, esp. with Joe.

[Brandon Warne]

 

I'm not sure playing less would have avoided the quad strain. The more important takeaway from last year IMO is use the DL for injuries like this, esp. with Joe.

 

It's difficult, but this is obviously true for the August part. In September with roster expansion it didn't matter as much.

[DrNeau]

Yes, "less is more" is his whole mantra.

 

"I'm just taking things slow... not trying to do too much." - Joe Mauer

 

* Less effort

* Less training

* Less production

* More excuses

[Brandon Warne]

 

Yes, "less is more" is his whole mantra.

"I'm just taking things slow... not trying to do too much." - Joe Mauer

* Less effort
* Less training
* Less production
* More excuses

 

OK.

[DrNeau]

1,086 ABs in the past 2 years prove that the Twins are OK with it. The production has decreased; the playing time should also decrease, respectively. Call it "keeping him fresh" if you may. I don't care what it's called.

 

If he's not being productive, he should have to ride the pine and prepare himself for becoming more productive later - whether that's physically, mentally, whatever. Seems like a bunch of fans are recommending a significant cut in playing time. Not a bad thing. If the Twins could find a way to maximize his output, that would be great.

[shs_59]

i'm predicting Mauer to register a mere 415- to 445 AB's this year

 

my prediction of his Triple slash?

 

.253/.339 / .412

 

thats a far cry from the Joe Mauer than was one of the games 5 or 10 best players year in and year out.

 

It begs the question the year he hit 28 hr's ect. was he using substances? i know it sounds absolutely bat-**** crazy  but i'm 50/50 on Mauer using PED's that one or 2  year power run he had.

 

 

[Brock Beauchamp]

It begs the question the year he hit 28 hr's ect. was he using substances? i know it sounds absolutely bat-**** crazy but i'm 50/50 on Mauer using PED's that one or 2 year power run he had.

It's well known Mauer had a load of wall-scraping homeruns that season.

 

No PED rumors necessary. Chalk it up as a career year. Happens all the time.

[USAFChief]

. Chalk it up as a career year. Happens all the time.

Well...once per career anyway.

[Brock Beauchamp]

Well...once per career anyway.

Shut it, you.

 

Looking up the stats, I noticed Mauer had a career year in doubles in 2010. I never noticed that before.

 

Ah, the days of watching peak Mauer swing a bat. That didn't last long enough.