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//  Saturday, July 31, 2010

More of Mauer: Twins need to do everything in their power to sign MVP

Saturday, March 6, 2010
Posted by Andy Ouriel

Joe Mauer needs to stay a Minnesota Twin.

If there was ever a player in today’s game exemplifying what it meant to be a franchise player, it’s Mauer.

The St. Paul native is more than one of baseball's elite all-around players: he is a model citizen the Twins can be proud to cal their own. He's also a three-time batting champion, two-time Golden Glove Award winner and the reigning MVP.

But the Twins are in danger of losing Mauer. Mauer, who will become a free agent after the 2010 season, will easily command $20 million on the open market. The longer the question of will the Twins sign him to a long-term extension or not gets fuzzier with each passing day.

Ron Shapiro, Mauer's agent, is in Ft. Myers, Fla. most likely beginning the talks of a new contract.

And even if one isn't a fan of the Twins, they can surely sympathize with Minnesota's fans it would benefit all of baseball if he stayed with the team drafting him in 2003.

It would be a shame if the New York’s, Chicago’s Los Angeles’ or Boston’s of the cruel, greedy baseball world would swallow him up like they’ve done with other superstars on small-market teams.

There is hope Mauer will stay with the team that made him the No. 1 overall pick in 2001.

The Minnesota Twins have shown a willingness to spend money. After signing pitcher Nick Blackburn to a four-year extension Sunday, the Twins have approximately $93 million committed to payroll in 2010 – the highest amount in the franchise’s history.

Signing players to extensions like Blackburn, Scott Baker, Joe Nathan, Justin Morneau, and Michael Cuddyer prove to Mauer the Twins’ main focus is winning and not conserving payroll.

The Twins will also expect an increase in revenue this year thanks to new Target Field opening up next month.

"I think Target Field puts us in better position to make sure that we have a competitive team from year to year," said Twins owner Jim Pohlad in a NBC Sports article. "Names will come and names will go, but overall the objective is always to have the best team on the field."
Mauer even lives in Minnesota, proving just how much he enjoys the northern atmosphere.
Mauer and his agent have told the Twins he will not negotiate a contract extension once the season starts. This means the Twins have about three weeks to get a deal done before a dark, stormy cloud hangs over their heads for the next six months.

But the three-time batting champion deserves to get all the money coming to him and the Twins are finally in a position to hand whatever Mauer demands.

How many catchers in baseball have averaged a .327 batting average? Or be the leader of a pitching staff, lacking any Cy Young candidates, averaging a 4.50 ERA?

Mauer is a special player and the Twins need to do everything they can to sign him.

The Twins shouldn't "low-ball" or offer Mauer a home-town discount contract. Special players come around once every 10 to 20 years and Mauer perfectly exemplifies this.

Keep No. 7 in the Twin Cities for the team, the fans and the spirit of competitiveness in baseball. It will also prove to the bully's of baseball they can't get everyone they want.

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