Multiple reports, first by WCCO’s Mark Rosen, are suggesting that Minnesota Twins fans can stop holding their collective breath…for a long time. The rumor mill says the potential deal for Joe Mauer is for 10 years valued around $220 million. Mauer will enter the 2010 season in the final year of his contract receiving around $12.5 million.
We all know Joe’s importance to not only the team but the community as well. The Twins organization would face tremendous backlash if they were to let the St. Paul native, MVP, batting champ, Gold Glove winner, Silver Slugger, All Star, you get the idea, get away. Although the initial reports aren’t being confirmed by the Twins organization or Mauer, it should only be a matter of time before an official deal is made/
In other Twins news, SS Orlando Cabrera signed a one-year, $3 million deal with the Cincinatti Reds. The Twins decided not to bring back the veteran after the trade of Carlos Gomez to the Brewers brought JJ Hardy to be the future at Short Stop.
Minnesota Sports Blog
The Twins surplus of outfielders shrunk by one as they sent CF Carlos Gomez to the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for shortstop J.J. Hardy. Hardy is coming off a rough season batting just .229 but was an all-star in 2007. Hardy also found himself in the minors due to his struggles last season. Gomez was the main piece in the Johan Santana trade which we will apparently not see develop into anything at least not while he’s in a Twins uniform. Gomez offered a fantastic personality along with his defense but consistently struggled at the plate. He was a fan favorite by his play and his bizarre bat sniffing antics. After all of the struggles he found himself moving from the top of the order to the bottom and then to the bench.
This move also eliminates the question of whether or not the club would try and re-sign Orlando Cabrera. Cabrera was a great influence in the clubhouse that provided a crucial veteran down the stretch for the Twins. While Cabrera, 35, may be nearing the end of his career, Gomez was certainly just at the beginning. Hopefully the Twins can sign Cabrera and play him at second and move Nick Punto to third base. We’ll have to wait and see whether this move pays off in the long run but it’s clear they are both young stars with loads of talent.
There are still a few unanswered questions for this off season but now the outfielder surplus has been solved along with our lack of at least one solid middle infielder.
Minnesota Sports Blog
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