Mauer and Morrison clear waivers

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Why not? They budgeted for it. The remainder of the contract is down to, what, $8M and counting? By August 31, just $4M? If that was the difference in prying a better set of prospects in return, I'd do it. (Conversely, the other team would also likely view $4M as small change, unless as you say they are bumping up right at the tax threshold or something like that.)

A few luxury tax teams will be out. A bunch more frugal/fringe teams will likely be out at that price too (Cleveland, Oakland, Milwaukee, etc.). How many teams have ever taken on $4 mil for a month of a bench bat?

 

I recall Justin Morneau, who was a bit different hitter than Mauer, but still a professional lefty 1B bat. It took us right up until the August 31 deadline (plus an August HR binge from Morneau?) to convince Pittsburgh to take on the remaining ~$2 mil salary, and all we got in return was fringe 40-man DFA candidates. I have a real hard time envisioning anyone stepping up for $4 mil on Mauer.

 

Or assuming the Twins were willing to eat it, how many teams have given up a meaningfully "better set of prospects" for a month of a bench bat? That's going to take out those teams too.

 

Yeah, it's already "budgeted" and we're in a lost season, but I have real hard time imagining the Twins would be particularly eager to eat millions just to get Mauer into a pennant race somewhere else. (Not to mention the PR hit of losing perhaps their most popular player, and in such a lopsided deal.)

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

Mauer is still due a lot of money for that small role, though. A few teams may not even be able to add it due to luxury tax concerns. And I wouldn't expect the Twins to eat it.

True, but the Twins could eat $4-5m and maybe split the difference.

 

It all depends what a team is willing to give up for what is essentially a postseason bat.

 

All in all, I think it's unlikely Mauer goes anywhere for a number of reasons.

[Mike Sixel]

An insane number of comments, given there is less chance of Mauer being traded than Brock playing for the Twins this year.....

[ewen21]

 

I agree with you on Mauer. His best days are behind and he is 1 concussion away from needing to retire. I mean what would Joe bring to the table next year for the Twins? Other than being a decent fielder and having a good on base percentage he brings nothing. Joe isn’t a draw as much for fans anymore. To be honest anything above a 1 yr $3 million contract would be overpaying a greatly declining ball player. I say we start 2019 without Mauer, his skills are diminishing and has proven recently that he can’t carry the team, he’s actually a better contributor when others play well (see last year, and 2015).

 

I am not understanding the "hometown discount" angle AT ALL.  What is the market for a 36 year old first baseman who hardly hits any extra base hits AND has missed chunks of time due to post concussion issues?  I can't imagine him being worth any more than 5 million one year on the open market.  A hometown discount in this case looks like what exactly?

 

Thinking of JOe Mauer as our first baseman next year is risky.

[ChrisKnutson]

Anyone else see Colorado as a good landing spot for Morrison?

 

We could either trade him for cash or we could take a chance on erratic flamethrower Carlos Estevez, who’s also on their 40 man roster.

[jimmer]

An insane number of comments, given there is less chance of Mauer being traded than Brock playing for the Twins this year.....

and yet, it is not surprising at all there are so many comments about Mauer...

[Major League Ready]

The Reds signed 3B Eugenio Suarez through 2024.They also have Austin Riley at AAA.  He is the 3rd ranked 3B and #43 overall prospect on MLB.com. What about moving Sano to 1B and acquiring one of these two players from the Reds?

[Riverbrian]

If I was Joe Mauer... I'm taking a picture of my 10-5 rights and texting it to Falvey and Lavine. 

 

There is absolutely no way that I'm going to let 2 months with the Chicago Cubs show up on the back of my baseball card. 

 

It is extremely rare... it is also extremely commendable that the home town kid played his entire career for the home town team and if I was Joe... That's how my career is going to end and I would not give that up for anything. 

 

I understand everybody who feels that we need something else in 2019. But... Let's get real here... Joe Mauer is ONE OF US.

 

Whatever he decides to do... he has my respect, my admiration and he gets a statue some place outside of Target Field and nobody else will get to wear #7. 

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Anyone else see Colorado as a good landing spot for Morrison?

Not really. I don't think the team has any flights going over Colorado soon to push him out with a parachute, and shooting him out of a cannon won't have that good of range.

[tbhysgb]

Alot of the younger Twins fans have less respect for him imo.

 

I was at a twins game last year sitting by two younger twins fans. One tells his friend that Joe Mauer used to be a catcher but he was only average.  My wife told me she's never seen my head swivel so hard.

 

But anyway, The Joe Mauer of old is in the past, he's not a bad guy to have on the team though. If Mauer wants to keep playing I bet they keep signing him, out of respect for who he is and what he's done.

 

Kinda wish Mauer takes the high road and retires, just rip the band aid off. I don't want him playing for another team. He's a Minnesota Twin, end of story.

[jimmer]

Alot of the younger Twins fans have less respect for him imo.

 

 

plenty of old fans have no respect for him either...

[Twins33]

Anyone else see Colorado as a good landing spot for Morrison?

We could either trade him for cash or we could take a chance on erratic flamethrower Carlos Estevez, who’s also on their 40 man roster.

Wild Thing pitches for the Rockies? Didn't think the Indians would trade him.

[Twins33]

Alot of the younger Twins fans have less respect for him imo.

 

I was at a twins game last year sitting by two younger twins fans. One tells his friend that Joe Mauer used to be a catcher but he was only average.  My wife told me she's never seen my head swivel so hard.

This reminds me that at Twinsfest this year some kid who was about 10 was shocked to see a picture of Mauer in his catcher's gear. "Mauer was a catcher!?"

 

I felt old and I'm not even 30 yet.

[Otto von Ballpark]

The Phillies, whom I don't necessarily consider frugal and who are not up against the luxury tax, just acquired LH 1B Justin Bour from the Marlins. They only gave up a minor league depth arm and still got the Marlins (who can be rather cheap) to pick up $450k of Bour's remaining $900k salary this season.

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/08/phillies-acquire-justin-bour.html

 

As others have said, of course, I don't expect Mauer to be dealt for a variety of reasons. But even in the unlikely event he took an interest in seeking a trade, I still think the money would complicate actually finding a match.

[twins_89]

I'm starting to seriously wonder if this is Mauer's last season, his OPS is trending downward and with a few more poor games it will be under .700. I wouldn't be surprised to see him call it a career at the end of the year rather than to try to hang on for one more season.

[USAFChief]

I'm told loyalty is a two way street...shouldn't Mauer volunteer to waive his no trade provision, so the Twins can get something for his expiring contract? That's the rationale I've heard for trading all the other free agents to be.

[ashbury]

I'm told loyalty is a two way street...shouldn't Mauer volunteer to waive his no trade provision, so the Twins can get something for his expiring contract? That's the rationale I've heard for trading all the other free agents to be.

I'm surprised if you believe there is a market for him, making the clause moot.

[AlwaysinModeration]

I was at a twins game last year sitting by two younger twins fans. One tells his friend that Joe Mauer used to be a catcher but he was only average. My wife told me she's never seen my head swivel so hard.

 

....

 

I don't want him playing for another team. He's a Minnesota Twin, end of story.

Ha, love that story.

 

As for the second sentence, you know, not to dig up this old saw, but...it will be a BIG bonus for Joe’s HOF case that he played his whole career for his hometown team.