Comments on: Joe Mauer out of Twins lineup with sprained right thumb

By: tacklemeelmo

tacklemeelmo — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 02:13:46 +0000

Mauer’s value comes from being a good offensive player who is also a catcher. Once his position is changed, he loses a bunch of value. I’m not saying the idea of moving him shouldn’t be considered, but all aspects need to be considered.

By: tacklemeelmo

tacklemeelmo — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 02:10:09 +0000

The Twins have played 54 games this year (including tonight’s game)

Joe Mauer has played 52 games this year and put up a 1.4 oWAR.

Keep bashing him for being injury prone and soft i guess…

By: 7ransponder

7ransponder — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 00:35:38 +0000

They DID have another catcher they could have done this with (Ramos), but they traded him away for a rage inducing closer for a team that is rarely in a closing situation.

By: siouxyaya17

siouxyaya17 — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 23:22:05 +0000

#soft

By: mplsjoe

mplsjoe — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 22:21:34 +0000

He hurt his thumb swinging the bat. And he was the DH that day.

By: Tim OShenko

Tim OShenko — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 22:08:53 +0000

Seems like a good idea, and one that’s been kicked around for years now. But there are two things holding up any sort of transition:

1) Mauer insists on being the catcher. It’s where he feels he’s most valuable to the team.

2) While his numbers are spectacular for a catcher, they’d be at or below average pretty much anywhere else on the field. In other words, he’s most valuable to the team behind the plate.

That said, the Twins have been using him at DH a lot more this year, as well as games at 1B here and there. In fact, he was DHing last night when he sprained his thumb. So who knows, maybe a change is in the works.

By: Cris E

Cris E — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 22:08:41 +0000

Catching is quite hard on the body, so it goes without saying that he hurt his hand in a game where he was the DH.

By: raindog

raindog — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 22:02:08 +0000

I was always against this, but I’m starting to come around. He’s and excellent defensive catcher, and his bat provides a ton of value at his position. However, I’m starting to think it’s too much of an injury risk, and that he would hit better if he wasn’t so beat up all the time. I’d love to see the Twins TRY to convert him to 3rd since he’s a such good athlete, but there is no guarantee he could play there. Outfield could work if 3rd doesn’t pan out.

By: mungman69

mungman69 — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 21:24:54 +0000

Catching takes its tool on the body and Mauer is no different. Heck, whats he won, three batting titles? If the Twins have another catcher they should put Mauer in the outfield or make him the DH.