Where Will Mauer End Up?

Friday, 26 February 2010 12:52 Jess Coleman, ClassActSports.com, MLB Analyst

It's fair to say that all of the big time signings are pretty much over for this offseason. However, one huge question approaches us quickly, and we could get the answer at any moment: Where will Mauer be in 2011?

Mauer, who will be 28 next offseason, has been one of the premier players in Major League Baseball for the past couple of years. He has won three batting titles in the past four seasons, and added his first MVP award last season.

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He will be on the market after next season, and the Twins are committed to locking him up for the rest of his career. Mauer has been with the Twins his entire career, after being drafted by them in the first round of the 2001 draft.

Mauer has said two things that give us separate ideas. He has said that he wants to win a title with teammate Justin Morneau, but that he also just wants to win.

To stay with Morneau would mean staying with the Twins. But if he wants to win, he knows that the Twins will not be his best option.

Two of the biggest market teams would be in the running for a player like Mauer. Both the Red Sox and Yankees have aging catchers, and would love to add a star catcher in Mauer. If they are in the running, and Mauer really wants to win, they would be clear choices over the Twins.

However, Minnesota was very aggressive in the 2010 offseason, which could be an indication to Mauer that they are a team on the rise, and it would be worth staying there.

There is also the aspect of money. The Red Sox and Yankees could easily give Mauer top notch money, while the Twins could not. But, Mauer is from Minnesota, which means the Twins could likely get him for a hometown discount.

The Red Sox and Yankees have been silent on the Mauer issue, which has led many to believe that Mauer will end up a Twin. But also remember that the Twins tried to discuss an extension this off season, and Mauer did all he could to brush away any talks until next off season.

Mauer is in no rush to sign an extension with the Twins, and you can bet that the Yankees and Red Sox are locked in on every word being spoken on the issue. Mauer will likely do everything he can to remain unsigned until 2011, which means we could be in for one of the biggest bidding wars in MLB history.

jess.coleman@classactsports.com
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