mvn
Posted August 22nd, 2009 by mvn
Tags: Baseball, Minnesota Twins
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Joe Mauer and free agency

Joe Mauer is having an MVP Award worthy season. He’s hitting .380 with 25 home runs, 77 RBI, a .448 OBP, and 1.095 OPS. He, along with Justin Morneau, Michael Cuddyer, and Jason Kubel, is powering the Twins offense. The problem, as Charley Walters sees it, is that Mauer plays in Minnesota, not in New York or Boston. Walters’ theory is that if Mauer played in Boston or New York, he’d easily be the favorite to win the AL MVP this season. Walters says this brings to light another issue. Mauer wants to win a championship and the Twins are not currently built to win one. That impacts whether Mauer continues to wear a Twins uniform when he reaches free agency after the 2010 season.

Mauer will be in Minnesota’s lineup when they open Target Field in 2010. Walters is worried he won’t be there for the new stadium’s second season. It’s not an unfounded worry.

Mauer’s no hound for recognition, but he is eager for championships. In a little more than a year, he’ll be in the prime of his career — and can become a free agent at age 27. The big-spending Yankees and Red Sox each will be in the hunt for a starting catcher for 2011.

Mauer playing for either of those teams is a scary proposition. He’d be surrounded by championship caliber players on either team and is very likely to get his shot at a World Series ring. Mauer will get a payday no matter what, even at a hometown discount. This situation is not about the money. Mauer wants a championship. Boston, New York, both Los Angeles teams, and a few others not mentioned by Walters, provide Mauer a much better championship opportunity. Unless Minnesota makes some drastic upgrades quickly. As sad as it is, Mauer shouldn’t stay home in Minnesota (and probably won’t) if they can’t put more championship-type pieces around him soon. This winter, and how they deal with obtaining more players to surround him, will provide a glimpse of Minnesota’s plans. It will also help sway Mauer’s decision. Minnesota is a good team, they just need to get better if they want to keep their franchise player.

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