The Table Setter, Jan 24, 2024: Mauer’s Call From The Hall

[Ted Schwerzler]

While Major League Baseball continues to slowly work its way through the offseason, the highlight of the evening was none other than Joseph Patrick Mauer. The call from The Hall came at the earliest possible moment, and his career will now forever be immortalized in the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Image courtesy of David Berding-USA TODAY Sports

With the ballot announced back in November, multiple weeks of voting culminated in the live reveal on MLB Network taking place in Cooperstown. Adrian Beltre was the only lock to have his plaque unveiled, but both Joe Mauer and Todd Helton will join him.

Mauer Gets the Call
For weeks it looked like Joe Mauer was going to become a first ballot Hall of Famer. Updates from Ryan Thibodaux’s tracking team had the former Twins legend polling upwards of 83% for some time, and the consistent support on ballots of all types showed some very positive momentum. Just before the results were read his unofficial total sat at 83.5%, earning votes on 182 of 218 ballots.

What matters now is that Mauer has been inducted as a first ballot hall of famer and will enjoy that title forever. It was much closer than anticipated though, as the private ballots often reflect a significant decline and provide a detriment to all players. Minnesota’s catcher cleared the 75% threshold by just four votes. He was chosen on just 111 of the final 167 ballots, accumulating just 66.5%.

Mauer’s induction ceremony will be held on July 21 in Cooperstown, New York. The Twins have announced they will honor him on August 3, 2024, prior to a game against the Chicago White Sox.

Sano is Back
It wasn’t just Mauer that made news on Tuesday. Former Minnesota Twins third baseman Miguel Sano returned to major league baseball after taking the 2023 season off. He was signed to a minor league deal, with an invite to spring training, by the Los Angeles Angels. Given the inability for Anthony Rendon to stay on the field, and an opportunity to improve the roster as a whole, Sano should have a real chance to crack the Opening Day roster.

It certainly has been a bit of a rough stretch for Sano as he was out of the sport last year, and posted just a 2 OPS+ across 20 games in 2022. That said, he has shown some impressive highlight moments during Dominican Winter League action, and he certainly looks to be a much more trim version of himself as well. Thinking about Sano providing lineup protection for Mike Trout seems fun, and there’s a vacancy at designated hitter too thanks to Shohei Ohtani going to the Dodgers.

Joey Gallo Gets a Shot
Last season Minnesota spent $11 million on Joey Gallo to provide thump in the lineup and play both corner outfield spots as well as first base. He started off hot, and then fell off while never truly recovering. Gallo was leaned on heavily at first base after both Jose Miranda and Alex Kirilloff dealt with injuries, but it was clear that Rocco Baldelli was seeking other options.

Despite not playing from September 5 on, and being left off the postseason roster after a rehab assignment, Gallo found a landing spot with the Washington Nationals. He did earn a major league deal, but at $5 million, it comes in at less than half of his 2023 number. Joey Meneses is an option at first base, while the outfield features names like Jake Alu, Jacob Young, Victor Robles, and Lane Thomas. A chance to rebound and be in a low pressure situation may suit the 30-year-old well.

Were you surprised by how close the vote was for Mauer? Who do you think has a better season in 2024, Sano or Gallo?

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[Post-Concussive Blues]

I wish Sano well. I don’t think he’ll be a superstar or anything, but I hope he makes the roster and has a productive season.

[Cory Engelhardt]

That video shared of him, I truly didn't recognize him. Hopefully he does get a chance.

[DJL44]

Great for Joe. It shows that treating people kindly can pay off in the long run.

[mikelink45]

So happy for Mauer and the Twins - a great honor that makes me think about all the complaints that Joe managed to ignore in putting together such a great career.  Imagine if he had not been hurt!

Wow Sano replaces Ohtani!  I know that is not the case, but it reads well. 

Gallo belongs on a last place team.  Especially in the other league.

[jmlease1]

I always knew it was going to be close if he made it on the first shot; there are still a cadre of voters who think that your career needs something "extra" for them to vote you in on the first ballot, and plenty who still weight longevity over peak performance. (I think the first is silly, the latter more defensible; personally I prefer those who try to balance peak value against longevity a little but I do tend to favor the comets over the grinders just a bit) But it's awesome that he made it in. Morneau seemed genuinely thrilled for his old teammate, which was fun to see. And I do think nationally Joe was always highly respected, even when there was a cadre of fans here that seem to revel in bashing him (no one goes after the highest paid players like a MN sports fan, it seems) and certain media members who always denigrated him. (Dan Barreiro was the worst, constantly complaining about Joe, probably because Joe had zero interest in coming on his (or anyone's) radio show).

Happy for Sano to get another shot. If his knee is healthy he might be able to help a team; probably won't know until you can see how he does against MLB fastballs again. If he can catch up to a 98 mph heater in the zone, he'll be a useful bat, even if he still chases the slider low and away. Pretty low-risk move anyways.

[DJL44]

4 minutes ago, jmlease1 said:

I always knew it was going to be close if he made it on the first shot; there are still a cadre of voters who think that your career needs something "extra" for them to vote you in on the first ballot

Then they can tell their grandkids about all the great players they never voted for due to stupid, self-imposed rules.

[stringer bell]

Congratulations to Joe Mauer! 

As to the question of who will have a better season between Gallo and Sanó, they are both flawed hitters, but two of the more powerful guys to have ever played for the Twins. Gallo is a better all-around player, but he has never shown the ability to make adjustments to make enough contact to be more than a mistake hitter. 

Sanó showed flashes, but his "not hot" zones are too big. Sanó is on a minor league contract after sitting out an entire year. I think he has more to prove and will have the better year.

[PDX Twin]

Quote

Who do you think has a better season in 2024, Sanó or Gallo?

The Twins, because they don't have either one!

[myjah]

Who do you think will introduce Joe Mauer on induction day? I'm kinda pulling for LNP.