Comments on: Joe Mauer, Twins begin contract extension talks

By: Lesley Habermehl

Lesley Habermehl — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 21:09:47 +0000

You post definitely was one of the best points of my Saturday. I had been on Aol researching something completely unrelated when the title captured my attention. I am glad I took the time to read your article! Feel free to check out my sport articles should you get some free time!

By: Charles Flodstrom

Charles Flodstrom — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 21:48:50 +0000

I think part of the article is inaccurate. Saying – “Twins made no legitimate effort to retain either of them (Santana & Hunter)” is not true. The Twins made a nice offer to Johan of 5 years, 100 million.

By: Bill@TDS

Bill@TDS — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:34:58 +0000

I don’t think they really wanted Torii, and for good reason. They made him an offer — more than he was probably worth — and if he could get better than that elsewhere, good on him.
Not so sure about Santana.

By: jb

jb — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:06:57 +0000

the reason they are willing to pay mauer the big bucks has at least as much to do with his marketability as it has to do with his talent. while they were both beloved players, the only player in my lifetime (i’m 29) that has come close to having as much fan loyalty as mauer was kirby.
people were angry about santana and hunter, but if we got beat in the playoffs by mauer in two or three years on the yanks or bosox target field would get burned to the ground and bill smith would be the new norm green.

By: Dan

Dan — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:54:56 +0000

I’m betting they passed on Torii because he wouldn’t be worth his salary as he ages.
They probably figured $20 million a year was too much for a starting pitcher, especially if he gets injured. Pitchers tend to get hurt and the Twins can’t afford to have a $20 million dollar player on the DL like a New York team can.

By: David

David — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:54:40 +0000

I think it’s a big difference in context. Hunter was, at least theoretically, past his peak, and Santana’s contract demands were such that just about NO ONE in baseball wanted to pay him as much as he wanted. Being a pitcher and a huge injury risk, it’s not too surprising that the Twins were skittish. Of course, catcher isn’t a perfectly safe position either, but Mauer’s just hitting his prime, he plays every day, he could move to another position to avoid injuries if needed, and of course there’s the local angle. Plus, what Mauer has done as a catcher Santana never approached doing as a pitcher. Just my two cents.

By: The Common Man

The Common Man — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:17:52 +0000

Strange statement by Bell there. Obviously, Mauer’s got a hometown pedigree and the Twins are moving into a park that will raise revenues, leading them to think that they finally can afford to keep a player of Mauer’s quality around. But Bell’s comments leave hanging the question of why the Twins wouldn’t want either Hunter or Santana…
Thoughts?

By: ochocinco

ochocinco — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:00:32 +0000

Twins gotta sign Mauer. Locking him up with a big contract–he is worth it–will usher a new era of baseball at Target Field where the Twins are committed to winning.