Author: David Shama

Joe Mauer’s extraordinary hitting production so far this season has changed speculation as to how much money the Twins’ all-world catcher can command for his next contract.  Mauer’s deal with the Twins goes through 2010 and his next contract could be for 10 years and $200 million (or more).

A source who has known Mauer for years told Sports Headliners last month that he thought the Yankees would offer $180 million in 2010, the Red Sox $160 million.  Both offers would be for eight years.

But now speculation is that Mauer’s next contract could be for $200 million.  The 26-year-old has shown new power hitting this spring while maintaining a high average.  His stats for 28 games and 99 at bats include 11 home runs and a .414 average.  Mauer came into this season averaging one home run every 46.7 at bats.  This season those numbers are one home run per nine at bats.

The 6-foot-6, 225-pound Mauer is maturing physically, coming into his best years. He has more knowledge than ever about how to hit and also catch where he deserves high marks, too, for his all-around ability including how he handles pitchers.  The Yankees and Red Sox have old catchers in Jorge Posada and Jason Veritek, both 37.  Those franchises have large budgets and could surround Mauer with the right teammates to help him earn a World Series championship.

Boston might be of particular appeal to Mauer since it’s more like Minnesota than New York.  The source said Mauer, who hits balls to all fields, but often to left, could “tattoo” the ball off the famed Fenway Park Green Monster in left field.  Hitting in cozy Fenway, particularly to the short left field fence, might elevate the two time batting champion’s average even more than in Minnesota and perhaps produce a .400 season.

The source said Mauer, though, doesn’t want to leave his home state.  If the Twins offer a competitive eight to 10 year contract he will stay, the source predicts.

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.

Vikings’ head coach Brad Childress was asked yesterday following three days of mini-camp for impressions of second year center John Sullivan who is trying to replace Matt Birk: “Just about what I expected.  He can hold his own in there. He can direct that line the way he needs to.  He’ll have to work with (Anthony) Herrera on his right when Anthony comes back.  But all good work by him, too; very minimal mental and physical errors.”

Is Childress comfortable with Sullivan as a starter?  “I am comfortable with him,” Childress said. “We have seen (Jon) Cooper jump in there. We have seen Ryan (Cook) jump in there. So there are a number of guys (who can play center).  Anthony Herrera can play in there. So, yeah, I am comfortable with that.”

Childress was asked how much more dangerous his offense can be with No. 1 pick Percy Harvin, the explosive wide receiver from Florida.  “Well, I just think anytime you talk about (Percy Harvin in terms of) football, you talk about explosion and somebody that can take it the distance when it (the play) is blocked the right way and when it gets in his hands. There is no such thing as too many of those guys, whether it is a tight end, a running back, a wide out, or a quarterback. I just think it just adds another piece.  It can be more explosive, but that is up to us to put the ball in his hands.”

The Wolves will be working out the following potential draft choices today at Target Center in preparation for the NBA draft later this month: USC guard Daniel Hackett, Ohio State center B.J. Mullens, Utah center Luke Nevill, Israeli forward Omri Casspi, North Carolina forward Danny Green, Connecticut guard A.J. Price, UCLA guard Darren Collison, Villanova forward Dante Cunningham, Texas A&M forward Chinemelu Elonu, Georgia Tech forward Gani Lawal and Gonzaga forward Austin Daye.

Congratulations to long time tennis volunteers Joan Baker, Sue Gregor and Dick Riley on being selected for the United States Tennis Association Northern Hall of Fame.

Author Jim Holden has four book signings this week for Tennis in the Northland, a comprehensive history of boys high school tennis in Minnesota.  Tomorrow from 8 to 11:30 a.m. he will be at the Reed-Sweatt Family Tennis Center, the south Minneapolis site of the Class A boys state tournament.  Also, from 12:30 to 4 p.m. tomorrow he will be at the Baseline Tennis Center on the University of Minnesota campus, the site of the Class AA tourney.  On Thursday he will be back at both sites at the same times as Tuesday. https://www.jim-holden.com/