Mauer signs 8 yr, $184 million extention

[erik316wttn]

The deal includes a full no-trade clause. Per ESPN.

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=5016230

[Sammy Sofa]

DELICIOUS.

[Roast]

That's lots of money.

[Formerly Snayke]

I didn't think it would happen. Good for Minnesota.

[shnsajax]

In Tiger Woods terms, that is a whole lot of hookers.

 

I am happy for Mauer and happier he won't be in NY. He really seems like a great guy.

[daske17]

The nice thing about this contract for Minnesota is that in the later years, Mauer can be transitioned to 1B or DH while maintaining his offensive prowess.

[Brian]

just think about the money they could have saved if they had drafted Mark Prior instead.

[Post Count Padder]

Lotta money but still a good deal. Good for them.

[RedFlash]

In Tiger Woods terms, that is a whole lot of hookers.

 

I am happy for Mauer and happier he won't be in NY. He really seems like a great guy.

 

Speaking of, I spent some time trolling Yankees/Red Sox boards, and my conclusion is Red Sox fans are more disappointed that Mauer won't reach free agency than the Yankee fans. For what it's worth. In fact some Yankee fans are actual relieved to know they won't have to go after Mauer (since apparently, if a major free agent is available the Yankees must pursue them, I guess) since they believe they have their future at catcher set with either Montero, or Romine replacing Posada within 2 years.

[illiniguy]

What I like the most about this is that this was a hometown discount. Can't wait for Albert to become a free agent.

[haubrich91]

Good for him and good for the Twins. They deserve their Franchise player getting locked up and a new, beautiful stadium opening in two weeks.

[davearm2]

...and somewhere Mark Prior softly weeps.

[mjohnson71]

Good for him and good for the Twins. They deserve their Franchise player getting locked up and a new, beautiful stadium opening in two weeks.

 

Almost entirely paid for by the county taxpayers.

[Garwilly]

...and somewhere Mark Prior softly weeps.

 

Then goes to bed on a pile of money and naked women.

[Clem Fandango]

There's just something about this that is really awesome

[Eric Clipperton]

There's just something about this that is really awesome

 

Yeah, I really like this as well. I think it might just be that it cements the recent trend of locking up true franchise players; after the explosive sports inflation and corresponding spate of player moves over the last 10-15 years, it is really nice to see that teams are starting to place importance on building around a core group of guys, whether or not it is a bit more expensive to do so in the short run. I follow baseball and hockey really closely, and in both sports this seems to be a definite trend over the past couple years (in hockey: Hawks' big three, Kesler, Zetterburg/Franzen, Kopitar, Penguins, Caps could be said to all be following this mold off the top of my head). Probably not a coincidence that fan interest seems to be on the rise, while the NBA seems to be losing fans as it heads into possible labor doom with its more movement-prone CBA.

[shnsajax]

Bruce Feldman has an insider article about how Mauer contributed to the demise of FSU football by signing with the Twins. It is an interesting thought being that he signed with them and in all likelyhood would have been a 3+ year starter for them.