Article: The Joe Mauer Quagmire

[yarnivek1972]

I will criticize Joe for swinging at Ball Two on the second pitch of the at-bat. That wasn't necessary at the time and a little out of character for Joe.

 

I will criticize Joe for looking at Strike Two on the 3rd pitch of the at-bat which was a fastball dead center.

 

I will criticize Joe for habitually throughout his career getting himself into 2 strike counts by passing by pitches down the middle and therefore putting himself in position to get rung up by a blind umpire on the third strike.

 

But I will not criticize him for looking at pitch number 8 of the at-bat. It was a backdoor curve that didn't make it to the back door. It was a ball when it left his hand... it was a ball when it reached the catchers glove... There was never a time when that ball would make any hitter's brain start a swing. It was not only outside but high.

 

He would have had to of known that a 3-2 curve was coming from a closer with a wicked fastball just to hold back long enough to foul it off defensively.

 

It was never in the zone... It wasn't close to a strike. It was a bad call.

This is just flat out wrong. It WAS close.

 

 

Joe Mauer's approach is the wrong approach IMO. I don't care if it is his approach. His approach has resulted in him being one of the worst run producing middle of the order hitters in baseball.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Agreed. This was the 1-1 pitch he took. Couldn't believe it. He lets pitches like this go by, then goes into "protect" mode. He really needs to consider changing his approach. Based off of his recent quotes in the Pioneer Press article, he has no intention of changing anything. Molitor's quote shows he will support Joe in that, too. Disturbing.

 

News Flash: Mauer still takes a lot of pitches?

 

Look, he should probably be batting down in the order, but that's on Molitor and the front office, not on Mauer.

[Riverbrian]

 

This is just flat out wrong. It WAS close.


Joe Mauer's approach is the wrong approach IMO. I don't care if it is his approach. His approach has resulted in him being one of the worst run producing middle of the order hitters in baseball.

 

This Photo is when his foot comes down and he has to decide if he is going to start his swing. 

 

Good Luck to Anyone in this situation!!! 

[yarnivek1972]

News Flash: Mauer still takes a lot of pitches?

 

Look, he should probably be batting down in the order, but that's on Molitor and the front office, not on Mauer.

He should probably not be in the batting order at all. Also on Molitor and Falvey and perhaps ultimately Jim Pohlad. Edited May 8, 2017 by yarnivek1972

[spinowner]

 

Irrelevant because it has to be paid regardless?
I mean, I guess. But that is true of all mlb contracts. Therefore they are all irrelevant. In which case I don't want to hear any excuses about going after an ace pitcher or two.
Yes, you'll probably be overpaying for a used up arm the last few years, but that's irrelevant, right?

Look, I personally don't bring up Joe's contract. He earned it at the time, he had to be retained, and that was the price.
But I don't think it's fair to say its irrelevant.
Like it or not, the Twins operate under a self imposed salary cap. And when you are under a salary cap, production to cost matters. It matters a lot.
Of course, there is nothing we can do about that now. But that isn't the same thing as being irrelevant.

I'll say that my opinion differs from yours and we should probably agree to disagree. My opinion is that one, Mauer is still a good major league player and, two, I think the front office has the latitude to pay whatever salary to whatever player (including free agents) that they deem necessary and appropriate. I don't think they have a self-imposed salary cap.

[spinowner]

I agree strike 3 yesterday was too close to take. Mauer was right that it was almost certainly out of the zone but until umpires improve their strike-calling capability to the level of computerized systems you have to swing at that pitch.

But there is no way should Mauer be taken out of the lineup. He's still certainly one of the nine best players in our system. If you are going to focus everything on just one at-bat you could just as well focus on the at-bat in Friday's ninth inning. Just as valid (or invalid).

[mudcat14]

 

If you are going to focus everything on just one at-bat you could just as well focus on the at-bat in Friday's ninth inning. Just as valid (or invalid).

 

Let's focus on that.  14 years as a big league, all-star, heart of the order, multiple batting champ, go to guy, and this is his first walk-off homer?  Over 6,000 AB's, in more than 1,600 games, and he's never cashed out before?  That might in itself be symbolic of the guys true value to the team.

[USAFChief]

 

I agree strike 3 yesterday was too close to take. Mauer was right that it was almost certainly out of the zone but until umpires improve their strike-calling capability to the level of computerized systems you have to swing at that pitch.

But there is no way should Mauer be taken out of the lineup. He's still certainly one of the nine best players in our system. If you are going to focus everything on just one at-bat you could just as well focus on the at-bat in Friday's ninth inning. Just as valid (or invalid).

nitpic:  "one of the nine best players in the system" isn't actually the correct measurement.

 

He only plays 1B/DH, so "the best 1st baseman and/or DH" is the comparison, IMO.

 

And at least against LH pitching, I'm not sure that's the case.  

 

 

[yarnivek1972]

Let's focus on that. 14 years as a big league, all-star, heart of the order, multiple batting champ, go to guy, and this is his first walk-off homer? Over 6,000 AB's, in more than 1,600 games, and he's never cashed out before? That might in itself be symbolic of the guys true value to the team.

This

[yarnivek1972]

nitpic: "one of the nine best players in the system" isn't actually the correct measurement.

 

He only plays 1B/DH, so "the best 1st baseman and/or DH" is the comparison, IMO.

 

And at least against LH pitching, I'm not sure that's the case.

And that

[Mike Sixel]

Gotta swing at the FB right down the heart of the plate in that situation. Not sure what to say about the other pitch, frankly. 

[Bark's Lounge]

I am realistic about Mauer. He should be a part-time player. But for some stupid reason, i think he might break loose. The peripheral stats are in his his favor.

 

Vargas and Park excite me more, but I want to see things develop.

[spinowner]

 

Let's focus on that.  14 years as a big league, all-star, heart of the order, multiple batting champ, go to guy, and this is his first walk-off homer?  Over 6,000 AB's, in more than 1,600 games, and he's never cashed out before?  That might in itself be symbolic of the guys true value to the team.

I thought you said you were going to focus on one at-bat, not over 6,000.

 

[spinowner]

 

nitpic:  "one of the nine best players in the system" isn't actually the correct measurement.

 

He only plays 1B/DH, so "the best 1st baseman and/or DH" is the comparison, IMO.

 

And at least against LH pitching, I'm not sure that's the case.  

I'm not sure it's not. Is Vargas, Park or Kepler actually better, right now?

[yarnivek1972]

I'm not sure it's not. Is Vargas, Park or Kepler actually better, right now?

Kepler is an outfielder. Park is hurt and even when healthy is no sure thing to be added. But yes, I think Vargas is better than Mauer right now. And so is Grossman.