If a player if forced to retire due to a job related injury on the field, is the same as a guy just retiring because he isn't performing? Or, would a player be able to collect the remaining money left on his contract if he is forced to quit due to injuries, or a portion of it? Or would that only be done by a personally insurance policy by the player? 

 

This is the only way the Twins would be relieved of Joes contract, as he is untradable here on out. Meaning we are stuck with his bat at 1B or DH, unless he's on the DL or medically retires. 

 

Yes, this is Joe Mauer related. This is not a post to bash him or stick up for him though. 

Puckett did it.  Ended up working in the front office for a while under that same contract if memory serves me right.  I'm guessing it's probably something that would be an arbitrated decision if for some reason the team thought he could still play.

Someone doesn't have to retire if they're injured. They can just keep collecting the paycheck until the contract expires.

 

That's what I would do if I had guaranteed money coming my way.

Someone doesn't have to retire if they're injured. They can just keep collecting the paycheck until the contract expires.

That's what I would do if I had guaranteed money coming my way.

The 1000 days and a day disabled list.

Joe isn't injured.

The only guy I know that actually retired because of reduced performance due to injury was Gil Meche for the Royals about 10 years ago.

 

Other than that they are either hurt enough that contract insurance kicks in or the team is just screwed because it would be dumb to give away that much money.

Mauer has a guaranteed contract. He will be paid whether he plays or is injured.

 

The Twins will still have to pay Mauer if he gets hurt and cannot play another game.

 

However, the Twins could recover part of that contract if they have the contract insured against season or career ending injuries. Mauer would still be paid, but the Twins could get money back from the insurance company.

 

Money is not the real reason for the question though, is it?

 

You are looking for a way to open up his spot in the lineup.

The most likely scenario is that Mauer plays either first base or DH until the last year of his contract. During that final year of his contract he will most likely be platooning his position or will be a bench player. So if you are looking for some prospect to take his place, look at players who will mature by the last year of Mauer's contract. He will most likely not be moved off of first base until then.