Losing Mauer to free agency after the 2010 season could be the most serious blow the franchise has experienced since relocating here from Washington D.C. in 1960. Mauer’s extraordinary talent and home town appeal make him irreplaceable.
In the May 25 issue of the Sporting News, writer Stan McNeal rated Mauer the No. 2 player in baseball after Albert Pujols of the Cardinals. Right behind Mauer at No. 3 is pitcher Johan Santana of the Mets and center fielder Torii Hunter of the Angels is No. 25. The Twins lost both of those players when they accepted bigger contracts.
Give the Twins credit, though, for signing first baseman Justin Morneau and relief pitcher Joe Nathan to lucrative contracts in 2008. Morneau is rated No. 27 and Nathan No. 33 on McNeal’s list.
But the Twins not only lost Santana and Hunter after the 2007 season, they also traded shortstop Jason Bartlett and power pitcher Matt Garza to Tampa Bay. Bartlett is hitting .373 and leading the American League, and Garza is 4-4 with a 3.67 ERA. Neither one has been adequately replaced by the Twins.
The Twins can’t further thin their personnel and hope to compete with the American League’s best teams. Time for the Twins to take a stand with Mauer. Look for a new contract between the team and Mauer to get done before the 2010 season.