It can’t hurt the Twins’ pursuit of a new contract for Minnesota native Joe Mauer if they improve their personnel but a source speaking on condition of anonymity told Sports Headliners that won’t be a deal breaker. “He’ll sign here for anything reasonable,” the source said.
His heart may belong to Minnesota despite speculation that he might receive a 10 year, $160 million contract after 2011 to play elsewhere. The Twins are likely to start working on a new contract with Mauer and his agent Ron Shapiro after this season. Other clubs will have to wait until Mauer’s existing contract expires after the 2010 season.
The 26-year-old Mauer, who has won two batting titles and is moving toward a third, is one of baseball’s most attractive talents not only for his once in a generation hitting but also his ability to catch including handling pitchers and throwing out base runners. While some superstars can be demanding, Mauer is shy and easy going.
The source said Mauer won’t become so frustrated with the Twins that he will try to tell ownership and management how to run the ball club. The Twins, who have a 45-44 record after 89 games, haven’t played in a World Series since 1991, although they have won four Central Division titles this decade (the last in 2006).
The Twins are a team that’s formidable enough to win the mediocre Central after finishing just a game back last year. But they need a few talented acquisitions to thump chests with the big boys of baseball (see their 6-19 record against the AL East).
General manager Bill Smith and others who make the personnel decisions need to improve the starting and relief pitching, plus find a couple better bats at the bottom of the order. Give them credit during the off season for bringing in free agent third baseman Joe Crede who has hit 14 home runs so far.
But there are other holes to fill. And wouldn’t it be something if in 2011 the needs list started with catcher?