Author: David Shama

The Twins and Joe Mauer haven’t reached agreement on a new contract but likely will prior to the start of spring training later this month, according to Jake Mauer.

“It’s very close,” Jake said.  “It will all be signed by the beginning of spring training. …That’s what they’re shooting for.”

Jake Mauer, Joe’s grandfather, spoke to Sports Headliners on Wednesday from Florida.  The two have a close relationship and spend time together during the winter in the Fort Myers area.

The older Mauer said Joe’s agent, Ron Shapiro, and Twins general manager Bill Smith spent two days last week in Minneapolis working on a new contract.  A 10 year deal is likely but specific compensation numbers aren’t settled, although $20 million per year is a possibility, according to Jake.

“That’s mind boggling,” Jake said.  “No one is worth that.  I don’t give a (blank)…nobody is worth that.  I don’t care who they are.  My God!”

The grandfather said Joe’s “heart and soul are with the Twins,” the only organization the 26-year-old all-world catcher has ever played for.  “But even if they cut Joe down to $15 million for 10 years he would sign with the Twins…I think.  Because Joe wants to stay in St. Paul, and he wants to start his thing (career) with the Twins and finish with the Twins.”

There’s no greed in his grandson, Jake said, and the Mauers know he could earn a richer contract by leaving the Twins after this season when he becomes a free agent.  Just like the Twins, the Boston Red Sox train in Fort Myers, and Jake said even he has become a celebrity in southwestern Florida this winter.

“I don’t know half the people here but they all come over and shake my hand,” he said.  “(People say) ‘I am from Boston.  We’re going to have Joe for 2011.  We’re gonna win the World Series.’ ”

Mauer and his agent have nearly all the leverage in the contract negotiations.  A baseball source told Sports Headliners this is a classic send the player a blank check situation.  The Twins could threaten to trade Mauer if negotiations aren’t to their liking but that leverage is a risky position to take given Mauer’s immense talent and popularity.

Along with Albert Pujols of St. Louis, Mauer is probably the most valuable player in baseball.  He’s won three batting titles, one American League MVP award, two Gold Glove awards, and he plays the most important leadership position on the team, catcher.  He’s also a Minnesota native and on track to become the most popular athlete in state history.

An alternative for Mauer and Shapiro could be to ask for a short term deal like five or six years.  That strategy would put Mauer back into free agency while still in his prime and able to negotiate an even richer deal.  (Mauer currently has a four year contract worth $33 million that ends after this season).

But Jake said his grandson wants to be here and will ask for a no trade clause in the new contract, a deal that could be his last as a major leaguer.  It’s with the Twins that Joe wants to become part of a championship team.

“He wants to win the World Series,” Jake said.  “That’s the only thing left for him.”

A year ago Mauer was in pain and unable to play in spring training because of a back injury.  He wasn’t even able to begin playing with the Twins until May.

Jake said his grandson’s health is “excellent” now and the back is not a problem.  He also said Joe works out daily and is dedicated to being in shape for the start of spring training (pitchers and catchers scheduled to report on February 20).

What if a deal isn’t completed prior to spring training?  “It would just be a disaster, really and truly,” Jake said.  “I think it would just destroy the Twins.  I really do.  Not because he’s my grandson.  But the gate (ticket sales), the guy and what he does and…how he promoted the Twins and everything.  The people (fans) just love him.  If they don’t sign him it will be just hell.”

But Jake is confident about a deal coming soon.  “He’s gonna stay with the Twins,” he said.  “I really think that.”

In a poll of general managers and assistant general managers, Mauer was the top vote getter for “best swing” in major league baseball, according to the January 18 issue of Sporting News magazine.  He was second in voting to Pujols for “player I’d want on my team.”

The Twins organization was voted the “best farm system” in baseball.

Jake Mauer said USA Today will interview him for a story next week.  Although Mauer has macular degeneration, he still golfs and had a hole-in-one while playing in Florida.  Because of his eyesight it’s unlikely he will return to Canterbury Park in the spring to sell his handicapping publication.

2010 could be a good season for Twins second baseman Nick Punto who has alternate years of hitting success.  His batting averages the last five seasons are: .239, .290, .210, .284 and .228.

Gophers football coach Tim Brewster could talk publicly about his 2010 recruiting class for the first time yesterday.  He said if running back Lamonte Edwards from Woodbury had played high school football in Florida or Texas he likely would have had 100 or more scholarship offers.

Brewster also said new recruit Jimmy Gjere of Irondale is “absolutely one of the top offensive linemen in the country.”   While Brewster wouldn’t name names, it’s likely that Gjere and Edwards are among a few freshmen who might become starters next fall.

The Gophers could add another player or two to the list of 2010 recruits.  Brewster thought that if that’s going to happen it will within a week or so.   NCAA rules allow players until April 1 to sign a national letter of intent.

If stadium legislation is to happen this year it seems unlikely that any site other than the Metrodome will be considered for a new Vikings stadium.  With existing infrastructure and so much prior planning, the Metrodome site is the front runner.

Governor Tim Pawlenty’s decision not to seek re-election presumably places him in a more comfortable position to lead a stadium effort.

The Minnesota Golf Show will be March 12-14 at the Minneapolis Convention Center, a new location after being at the Metrodome for many years. The show will include a $100,000 putting challenge and a clinic for youngsters.  More at www.minnesotagolfshow.com.

When goalie Wade Dubielewicz filled in for Niklas Backstrom and Josh Harding on Tuesday night it broke a 234 consecutive games streak by the two-some.  The Wild is the only NHL team to use only two goalies during that time period, according to Elias Sports Bureau (St. Louis played 10).

Erik Haula, the Wild’s seventh-round pick in last June’s draft, continues to impress in his first season in the United States Hockey League.  Through 37 games he ranked fourth in USHL scoring with 51 points and third with a +24 rating.

Fans raised more than $34,000 for the Minnesota Wild Foundation at the recent Wild Skills Competition by purchasing event tickets, player autograph cards, raffle tickets and more.

Gustavus senior forward David Martinson (St. Louis Park) and St. Thomas senior goalie Lauren Bradel (Bemidji) have been selected as finalists from the West Region to take participate in the NCAA Frozen Four Skills Challenge on April 9 in Detroit.  Six position players and two goaltenders representing both genders from the East and West Regions will be selected based on fan voting through the following website: https://www.ncaa.com/frozenfourskillschallenge/index.html.