The Twins are going to try and re-sign catcher Joe Mauer to a new seven-year, $120 million contract this winter. “Try” being the operative word, as the Yankees and Red Sox are also expected to get into the bidding war over the 26-year old catcher.
From the St. Paul Pioneer Press:
Mauer, 26, can become a free agent after the 2010 season. When contract talks get serious after this season, the Twins are expected to try to sign Mauer for about $120 million over seven years.
The New York Yankees, however, with catcher Jorge Posada at 38 years old, are expected to offer more money and possibly more years.
For instance, the Yankees have first baseman Mark Teixeira, 29, under contract for $180 million for eight years. C.C. Sabathia, 29, is pitching with a $161 million, seven-year deal. Mauer is every bit the commodity.
Boston catcher Jason Varitek is 37, and it’s clear the big spending Red Sox would love to have Mauer for the next seven or eight years.
Mauer is from St. Paul, so I’m willing to bet that he takes less money to stay with the Twins, even though they’re a club that is always in a constant struggle to keep up with the big spenders in the AL. It’s better for baseball that superstars re-sign with their respective clubs and not flee to New York as soon as the Yankees start flashing big dollar signs around.
Keep the talent as spread out as possible to keep the game competitive please.
