Article about Joe Mauer's future

[glunn]

I came across this today -- https://www.thescore.com/mlb/news/1574122

 

It sounds like Mauer wants to continue with the Twins, but his market value is likely to be fairly low.

 

Does it make sense for the Twins to bid for Mauer, or should they move on?

[diehardtwinsfan]

Personally, I'd move on. He's all OBP and not much else at this point, and I'd want more than that from a 1B. If he was willing to take a bench role and play some 3B and RF, then I'd keep him cheaply. 

 

As great Mauer has been, I'm not sure he gets much in terms of suiters outside of MN either for much the same reasons.

[nicksaviking]

I'm sure Morneau, Cuddyer and Hunter would put in a good word for him if he wants one of those front office gigs they've been giving out to former players.

[Jerr]

If, the Twins and Joe can workout a deal to stay here, he will. If, no deal between them, then i think he will retire. I'm pretty sure they will work something out.

 

[Squirrel]

The deal they'd have to work out is a bench deal, if any deal, or no go. Do we move Sano to 1st then? I don't think Rooker will be ready, but maybe, but that's a big jump. Then if we move Sano to 1st, who players 3rd? (Machado?)

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

The deal they'd have to work out is a bench deal, if any deal, or no go. Do we move Sano to 1st then? I don't think Rooker will be ready, but maybe, but that's a big jump. Then if we move Sano to 1st, who players 3rd? (Machado?)

 

Given the market currently, one thing we can say is that you can get a pretty decent 1B/DH type for cheap. They might have to shoot higher than Morrison this time around, but there's plenty of bat first guys that can be had. I'm guessing they need one guy on a 2 year deal and another on a 1 year deal... or perhaps just sign two one year deals and decide next year at this time if Rooker or Kirilloff is ready for the role or just find another bat first guy on a 1 year deal. 

[Twodogs]

Sign Mauer to a 2 or 3 year deal for 3 - 4 mill per year, he will take that. His overall game is probably better than most of those bat first guys. The Twins had guys like that with Willingham and Arcia and they ended up being a hindrance more than a help.

[Twodogs]

No you can't. Take a look at this link and tell us who the "pretty decent 1B/DH type for cheap". https://www.spotrac.com/mlb/free-agents/. Matt Adams? He's an upgrade but no you're in a bidding war with Washington at least so he ain't gonna be cheap. Marwin Gonzalez? Why would he leave Houston and he's no upgrade. Machado? Major upgrade but out of our price range. He'll be a Dodger or a Yankee next year, maybe a Cub.

 

Look, I get it that we'd like to trade out Mauer for a better hitter. The problem is you have to compare Mauer to what's actually out there, not a mythical above average 1B. And there's very little out there. I say Mauer will lose the 1B job when the Minors produce a replacement, not before, unless HE wants to retire.

They could bring back Parmelee

[Doomtints]

Seems like we have been reading (and talking) about 'Joe Mauer's future' for the past five years. I hope he retires so we can just move on to something else.

[Squirrel]

 

Mauer will be here next year(s) if only because we don't have anybody else. Rooker isn't ready yet, the free agent 3B and 1B pool is weak except for Machado who is waaaaay out of our price range and a mediocre team that doesn't pay well like the Twins isn't a hot free agent destination.

 

Mauer is the 1B until Rooker or someone else is ready from the minors to lay First or Third with Sano moving to first (assuming Sano ever gets his mojo back). That's not next season.

 

My prediction:  Mauer resigns for 2 years/ 20-25m total and calls it quits after the 2020 season.   

The thing is, Machado is NOT out of our price range, considering what we will and won't have committed in terms of dollars. They could sign him, and I personally think they should go all in on him. However, they won't. But if they did, having Machado at 3rd, moving Sano to first, with Mauer as a backup, I think works for this team. And it's doable. We have very little committed in terms of money, we could make that work, and would be far better than having Mauer as your starting 1st and Sano your starting 3rd. We don't seem to have a legitimate 3rd baseman coming up anywhere soon. By the time Rooker is ready to put him in at first and have he and Sano share 1st/DH.

 

Or, sign Machado, have him play SS, Sano 3rd, move Polanco over to 2nd, and then sign Joe to play 1st. When Rooker comes up, Joe and he split that, moving Joe to the bench. It's doable.

 

But, that said, this isn't something the Twins will do, which is irritating, because they could.

[akmanak]

The deal they'd have to work out is a bench deal, if any deal, or no go. Do we move Sano to 1st then? I don't think Rooker will be ready, but maybe, but that's a big jump. Then if we move Sano to 1st, who players 3rd? (Machado?)

I am not sure we should be including Sano in any conversation regarding this team. He has looked completely lost IMO when he is batting and still doesn't layoff the outside pitch.

 

Mauer is a better option at 1st for the next 2 years.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

I am not sure we should be including Sano in any conversation regarding this team. He has looked completely lost IMO when he is batting and still doesn't layoff the outside pitch.

Mauer is a better option at 1st for the next 2 years.

I've soured on Sano over the past year so I see what you mean, but I think a Mauer-Sano platoon at 1B/ DH works in 2019. They could both play about 75% time and also be late inning subs and Sano can also field at third.

[Platoon]

Sadly I don't think the Twins can currently make Sano plans with any degree of certainty. He may have lost some weight, good for him. But in this SSS he is just as lost as he was before his exile. One can bash Mauer till the Holsteins won't come home, but he is currently 5 times the hitter Sano is, and 10 times the defender. Sano does have a chance to eclipse Mauer, some day. But something has to change. Even metrics can't make a SO look better than an opposite field single or double.

[jctwins]

Considering the number of issues they have to deal with, he has value in fan base retention and adding a small amount of stability and a form of beteran leadership. I'm no fan, but considering the state of this team I think you give him at least another year at a reasonable price if he wants it.

[Riverbrian]

I hope the Twins are fair when dealing with Joe and I hope that Joe is fair dealing with us on a reasonable one year contract. 

 

I'd like to see the Twins sign or trade for a good 3rd Baseman and start 2019 with Mauer/Sano/New Third Baseman competing for playing time. 

[Ultima Ratio]

Joe's future will be brighter tomorrow.

[USAFChief]

Tying themselves to more of a part time first baseman with zero power just shortens the bench.

 

He plays too little, and provides too little, and will cost too much.

[Platoon]

I hope the Twins are fair when dealing with Joe and I hope that Joe is fair dealing with us on a reasonable one year contract. 

 

I'd like to see the Twins sign or trade for a good 3rd Baseman and start 2019 with Mauer/Sano/New Third Baseman competing for playing time.

 

But unless they sign a specific DH that sort of leaves them all in the batting order. And I don't have a problem with that with the current version of Mauer. A good hitting 3B would inspire Sano and improve the order. And Sano needs to be addressed and assessed. The waiting time is over. And Mauer makes can be moved in and out of the order as the season progresses if need be. I go back to the manager, if he can't sell the plan to the players nothing will work.

[KGB]

 

Tying themselves to more of a part time first baseman with zero power just shortens the bench.

He plays too little, and provides too little, and will cost too much.

I think this will be the assessment of the front office, but I wonder if the Pohlad's will over rule them and bring him back.

 

A lot of people want the Twins to trade Mauer to a playoff contender so he could get a chance at a ring.  Now he is free to explore that option and if his high OBP is valuable, there should be contenders who would want him.

[Riverbrian]

But unless they sign a specific DH that sort of leaves them all in the batting order. And I don't have a problem with that with the current version of Mauer. A good hitting 3B would inspire Sano and improve the order. And Sano needs to be addressed and assessed. The waiting time is over. And Mauer makes can be moved in and out of the order as the season progresses if need be. I go back to the manager, if he can't sell the plan to the players nothing will work.

I don’t want a DH only. I’d like the DH position to be an overflow position in case the new 3B, Mauer and Sano All perform.

 

I want to create depth and competition for playing time across the diamond. 3 1B/3B guys competing. 3 2B/SS guys competing. 4 OF guys competing for playing time.

 

If we can do that we won’t have to sit and watch players with everyday jobs be well below average. All our eggs won’t be in one basket.

[Squirrel]

I hope the Twins are fair when dealing with Joe and I hope that Joe is fair dealing with us on a reasonable one year contract.

 

I'd like to see the Twins sign or trade for a good 3rd Baseman and start 2019 with Mauer/Sano/New Third Baseman competing for playing time.

 

There is only one 3rd baseman out there in FA that is worth signing. While it’s my dream to sign him the Twins won’t.

[USAFChief]

 

There is only one 3rd baseman out there in FA that is worth signing. While it’s my dream to sign him the Twins won’t.

Not to hijack this thread, but this is one prime reason why I disagree with the "wait until you're one player away before you sign a big time free agent" theory of management.

 

There is a large chance that guy won't be available to you then.

 

Go get the players you need when you can.

 

Same is true for trades, by the way. 

[Monkeypaws]

Mauer would fit nicely in the NL. He could play some first, but I think he would be an ideal pinch hitter. He'll always give you a professional at-bat up there. 

[Blake]

I think the Twins need to look at someone else at third because I think Sano's days with the Twins may be numbered.

 

I won't go into the details on my thinking, suffice to say I think Sano's tenure with the Twins may be tainted and it might be best for all concerned if Sano were to move on to another team.

 

As for the real reason of the thread, I'm against Mauer remaining with the Twins, or in baseball, for that matter, because of the concussion issues Mauer has dealt with.

 

I've grown to appreciate Mauer how well he plays 1st but I really worry that he's pushing things further than he should from a health standpoint.

[RedBull34]

 

There is only one 3rd baseman out there in FA that is worth signing. While it’s my dream to sign him the Twins won’t.

I'm with you 100%.  Twins should go all in on Machado.

 

That being, if they don't get him, I really wouldn't mind seeing the Twins resigning Escobar, past that Donaldson might be the only other 3B option.

[Mike Sixel]

I want Joe to retire, because I want his brain to be less likely to be hurt again.

 

Failing that, a one year deal for less than ten million a year would be ok with me, but not great.

 

If he is their primary first baseman, you start out in a hole compared to other teams. Unfortunately, as Chief and others point out, finding free agents isn't as easy as people seem to think.

 

So, me guess is that he is back.

[Squirrel]

Not to hijack this thread, but this is one prime reason why I disagree with the "wait until you're one player away before you sign a big time free agent" theory of management.

 

There is a large chance that guy won't be available to you then.

 

Go get the players you need when you can.

 

Same is true for trades, by the way.

 

Mostly I agree. I’m sure there are exceptions, but in this case I don’t think we really need Mauer, but we do Machado and it makes sense for us. If Mauer were to return, not that I’m advocating for it, it would have to be to a deal and role that makes sense for the team. Right now I’m not sure it’s does.

[Thrylos]

This has Morneau/Mientkiewicz written all over it:

 

In 2002 Morneau hit .298/.356/.474, 16 HRs in AA.  He was ready to be the full time Twins' first baseman in 2003, but TR & Co went with Mientkiewicz for 1.5 seasons more, while Morneau had nothing to prove in AAA

 

This season Brent Rooker is hitting .277/.343/.522 with 20 HRs in AA.  And that includes a .250/.275/.364, 1 HR, April.  His OPS in July is 1.014 and in June was 1.038.

 

My hope is that this Front Office does not make the same mistake.  Rooker should be in the Twin Cities at least by September playing 1B every day to show what he has, and if it works, pencil him in as that starter for 2019.  If it does not, assess your options from Mauer to other free agents.

But Rooker needs a chance.  This season.

[Twodogs]

The thing is, Machado is NOT out of our price range, considering what we will and won't have committed in terms of dollars. They could sign him, and I personally think they should go all in on him. However, they won't. But if they did, having Machado at 3rd, moving Sano to first, with Mauer as a backup, I think works for this team. And it's doable. We have very little committed in terms of money, we could make that work, and would be far better than having Mauer as your starting 1st and Sano your starting 3rd. We don't seem to have a legitimate 3rd baseman coming up anywhere soon. By the time Rooker is ready to put him in at first and have he and Sano share 1st/DH.

 

Or, sign Machado, have him play SS, Sano 3rd, move Polanco over to 2nd, and then sign Joe to play 1st. When Rooker comes up, Joe and he split that, moving Joe to the bench. It's doable.

 

But, that said, this isn't something the Twins will do, which is irritating, because they could.

Problem is, like it or don't, he is out of our price range due to the fact that guys like that don't want to come to Minnesota. So if the Twins put in a bid for Machado and it equals what New York or LA puts in for him he will pick New York or LA every time. For the twins to get a guy like Machado they will have to severely out bid those other more popular teams. Not only are those other teams consistently in the hunt every year but they have more to offer all the way around. So if New York or LA offer him 20 Mill a year the Twins will have to offer 25 and add more years to get him. It's just the way it is; now that might change for a local guy, think back to Monitor, Winfield, Morris etc.... Or it may also change if the Twins can get to that point where they are consistently in the hunt for a world series title year in and year out. When that happens then guys like Machado will consider the Twins. Until then they need to rely on what they have.

[Twodogs]

This has Morneau/Mientkiewicz written all over it:

 

In 2002 Morneau hit .298/.356/.474, 16 HRs in AA. He was ready to be the full time Twins' first baseman in 2003, but TR & Co went with Mientkiewicz for 1.5 seasons more, while Morneau had nothing to prove in AAA

 

This season Brent Rooker is hitting .277/.343/.522 with 20 HRs in AA. And that includes a .250/.275/.364, 1 HR, April. His OPS in July is 1.014 and in June was 1.038.

 

My hope is that this Front Office does not make the same mistake. Rooker should be in the Twin Cities at least by September playing 1B every day to show what he has, and if it works, pencil him in as that starter for 2019. If it does not, assess your options from Mauer to other free agents.

But Rooker needs a chance. This season.

Except for the fact that Justin hit like .220 in 2003 and then hit like .230 something in 2005 back when hitting .230 was not in Vogue. Hunter called him out and told him he needed to produce, Justin figured it out, in a big way, but sticking him in there a year and a half earlier may have ended his career?? Also, Morneau was a very good fielding Firstbaseman, replacing another very good fielding Firstbaseman. Does Rooker fit that category??

 

I agree that he should get some PT this fall, but I wouldn't bet on him just as of yet. He's probably a couple of years out still.