Is it time to call the Red Sox?

[nokomismod]

If there is some interest from Boston, I think there is a reason to listen to what they would offer for Joe Mauer. I know he's a big draw to watching the Twins now, and he's arguably their only star. I think our current rotation, the lack of starting pitching that is nearly ready, and the fact that TR has showed that he is not willing to add high end starting pitching to me equals we are at least 2 years away from competing. Do we really want to watch an elite player like Joe Mauer without a strong supporting cast? What if the Red Sox were to offer a high level starting prospect (single A) and maybe a SS or Catching prospect? Liberate Joe and add some prospects.

[IdahoPilgrim]

Does Joe want to go to Boston? Because if not, this is all academic. No-trade clause.

[drjim]

No. And that package doesn't seem remotely close enough.

[Siehbiscuit]

The Twins problem is not Joe Mauer. Stop it. Even if the Twins had an additional 23 million what are the chances that all of a sudden Terry Ryan would change who he is? Zero. He has run the Twins the same way and he will continue to do so. There's plenty of profit now to put FA's on the field and its not happening.

[Alex]

If there is some interest from Boston, I think there is a reason to listen to what they would offer for Joe Mauer. I know he's a big draw to watching the Twins now, and he's arguably their only star. I think our current rotation, the lack of starting pitching that is nearly ready, and the fact that TR has showed that he is not willing to add high end starting pitching to me equals we are at least 2 years away from competing. Do we really want to watch an elite player like Joe Mauer without a strong supporting cast? What if the Red Sox were to offer a high level starting prospect (single A) and maybe a SS or Catching prospect? Liberate Joe and add some prospects.

 

I'd hate to see him leave, and I think there is more that they could do around him. For starters, I think Morneau is the one to move if possible while swinging a hot bat. I'd also like to see them move the Hammer. This opens up 1B and LF, which gives you spots to keep Arcia and Parmelee regularly in the lineup. Then, save Joe's legs by having him catch a lot less (keep Parms in RF, where he's been decent and move Joe to 1B) so that when the wave hits in another year or two, he's still playing well. There's really no reason he should be catching. Heck, at this point, I'm all for having Ryan "Can't Frame" Doumit daily back there or calling up Butera (or someone else).

[nokomismod]

The Twins problem is not Joe Mauer. Stop it. Even if the Twins had an additional 23 million what are the chances that all of a sudden Terry Ryan would change who he is? Zero. He has run the Twins the same way and he will continue to do so. There's plenty of profit now to put FA's on the field and its not happening.

I am not saying Joe is the problem, but I don't think it's unrealistic to say the Twins are looking to compete for the Central in 2015. Does it make sense to keep Joe's production and cost for 2-3 years of losing baseball?

[diehardtwinsfan]

There's no way I see Joe going to Boston for anything close to what is being suggested in this thread, and I don't see Boston offering anything more.

 

Mauer getting traded just won't happen.

[Steve Lein]

This idea is never going to happen, ever (trading Joe Mauer).

 

But if it was possible in some alternate dimension, I would want it to be to Boston. Because he'd hit .400 there as easily as he hits .320 everywhere else.

[markos]

I agree with everyone else that in the real world a Mauer trade would never happen. That being said, I would entertain an offer from Boston that included Xander Bogaerts and Matt Barnes.

[Steve Penz]

With what is coming, the team will need vets to nurture young players. Not to mention that having a 40% ob guy in front of legit RBI people is not a bad move. Additionally, I just don't feel confident that the trade would end up well for us. It is fun to talk about stuff but this is one that would never happen. He has his MN contract with a NT clause and I just don't feel its a move the Twins would entertain at this point even if they could.

[Oxtung]

We had this thread in the offseason when the rumors first appeared. There is a lot of sentimentalism surrounding Joe and the majority of people didn't want it to happen.

 

Fr a business standpoint it is probably a bad idea since you'd be telling the fans your giving up on the next few years and creating backlash.

 

From a long term competitiveness stand point I think it is an intriguing idea. Depends a lot on what prospects someone is willing to give up.

[Willihammer]

It would be a lot more intriguing if the fans had a reason to think that $23m saved per year would be re-invested in the payroll.

[Highabove]

From 2011 until today, approximately 39 million has come off the payroll.

Where has all the money gone??

Hint, not on the field.

 

2011 Final Baseball Payrolls - MLB - ESPN

 

USA Today | Sports | MLB | Salaries

[nicksaviking]

If there is some interest from Boston, I think there is a reason to listen to what they would offer for Joe Mauer. I know he's a big draw to watching the Twins now, and he's arguably their only star. I think our current rotation, the lack of starting pitching that is nearly ready, and the fact that TR has showed that he is not willing to add high end starting pitching to me equals we are at least 2 years away from competing. Do we really want to watch an elite player like Joe Mauer without a strong supporting cast? What if the Red Sox were to offer a high level starting prospect (single A) and maybe a SS or Catching prospect? Liberate Joe and add some prospects.

 

It sounds more like you want to trade him as a favor to Joe.

 

While the Twins could always use more prospects, they have a ton and they'll all be showing up in the next couple of years. At that point, what they will need is some stability and veteran presence to help hold the developing talent together and you won't get that as a return for Mauer.

[ThePuck]

From 2011 in till today, approximately 39 million has come off the payroll.

Where has that money gone??

Hint, not on the field.

 

2011 Final Baseball Payrolls - MLB - ESPN

 

USA Today | Sports | MLB | Salaries

 

and more next year and the year after.

[ThePuck]

It would be a lot more intriguing if the fans had a reason to think that $23m saved per year would be re-invested in the payroll.

 

Ryan could buy a whole new rotation with that money...and by that I really mean 5 starting pitchers. How much is he paying this season for the three he brought in, less than 10M?

[fairweather]

Captain cheap-o Terry Ryan wouldn't spend the money if they did trade him so what's the freaking point? I'm not the biggest Mauer fan and don't think he's worth 23 million a year but Terry Ryan seems hell bent on making the Twins the Oakland A's of the Central, minus the steady stream of GOOD young pitching.

[spideyo]

Just remember, the average fan doesn't really care about payroll. They want to see their favorite guy. People love Joe. They aren't going to care if the Red Sox trade their top 50 propects for Mauer. They want Mauer.

 

And the Twins make most of their money off of the average fan.

[Tibs]

I honestly think this could be the worst thing the Twins could possibly do. Just from a baseball standpoint, you aren't going to get near the production from whoever replaces him, and right now he is the face of the franchise.

[Shane Wahl]

If David Ortiz or Mike Napoli break down (or both), then I would try to trade Morneau immediately. Getting a 100-200 level prospect (think Kepler, May) and a 200-300 (think Santana, Goodrum) would be enough for me.

[Oxtung]

Just remember, the average fan doesn't really care about payroll. They want to see their favorite guy. People love Joe. They aren't going to care if the Red Sox trade their top 50 propects for Mauer. They want Mauer.

 

And the Twins make most of their money off of the average fan.

 

I disagree with this. I think what fans really want, and this is true no matter what sport, is a winning team. If it was only about star players then why has attendence taken a nose dive the last few years and why does it nudge even further south when they fall out of contention?

[diehardtwinsfan]

The question at hand is what percentage of fans come to see Joe play. It may be a small number, but I have no doubt that there are people out there who do.

[DaveW]

If the twins trade Mauer I would probably come close to ditching this team, they have a chance to be super competive come 2015, and if prospects continue to progress and they spend some of the 40 mil they have free after his year they could compete in 2014.

 

We have the best farm system arguably in baseball, you hold onto Mauer for the next "phase"

[DaveW]

Also when you have a guy who will go into the hall wearing your hat (and is a home town kid to boot) who is still in his prime, you absolutely do not trade him.

[Oxtung]

The question at hand is what percentage of fans come to see Joe play. It may be a small number, but I have no doubt that there are people out there who do.

 

I'm sure there are some fans that do. I was not trying to imply there weren't. But I think those seats would easily be sold if the team was winning where as Joe Mauer fans won't keep the stadium full on their own.

 

Also, how many of those Joe Mauer fans would find new favorite players and still come to the game?

[Aaron Cross]

I can't fathom Mauer would turn down a trade to play 81 games in Fenway. Especially considering his disdain for Target Field. IF, and that's a huge IF, the Redsox make a SPECTACULAR offer, the Twins would be fools to turn it down. A trade like that could set this team up for a decade of dominance when you factor in Meyer, Mays, Gibson, Berrios, Buxton, Arcia, Rosario, and Sano coming up in the next couple years.

[ScottyB]

I agree with everyone else that in the real world a Mauer trade would never happen. That being said, I would entertain an offer from Boston that included Xander Bogaerts and Matt Barnes.

 

Since both of those guys are considered untouchables, I guess this is where reality and fantasy come together. Mauer is going nowhere and those guys won't be traded. We might as well insist on Buchholtz and Middlebrooks - that's as likely as Bogaerts and Barnes.

[kab21]

There is no reason to trade Mauer. The Twins have piles of money available to spend but not much to spend it on as it is. People can complain about the lack of spending in FA and I think they could have done better this year but there really aren't that many good deals signed by FA's.

 

Payroll goes up and it goes down. It was peaking in 2010/2011 because the Twins had a lot of veteran players and TF simply allowed them to retain most of those guys. It's going down now because rebuilding teams get younger. And when you get younger you get cheaper. I cannot understand why this is difficult to understand.

 

Now if boston was actually offering Bogaerts, Barnes and maybe even Bradley then I would be interested. yes that is a ridiculous package of talent but Mauer's contributions extend far beyond what he does on the baseball field.

[Oxtung]

There is no reason to trade Mauer. The Twins have piles of money available to spend but not much to spend it on as it is. People can complain about the lack of spending in FA and I think they could have done better this year but there really aren't that many good deals signed by FA's.

 

Payroll goes up and it goes down. It was peaking in 2010/2011 because the Twins had a lot of veteran players and TF simply allowed them to retain most of those guys. It's going down now because rebuilding teams get younger. And when you get younger you get cheaper. I cannot understand why this is difficult to understand.

 

Now if boston was actually offering Bogaerts, Barnes and maybe even Bradley then I would be interested. yes that is a ridiculous package of talent but Mauer's contributions extend far beyond what he does on the baseball field.

 

A Mauer trade wouldn't be just about saving money, although I'm not naive enough to think that the Pohlad's wouldn't love to pocket that money, but a significant part of the trade would be the prospects received in return. For better or worse this team is going to sink or swim in the future based on it's prospects. The odds of a good team in 2016 increase with every prospect we can acquire. You can never have enough good prospects.

 

On the other hand by the time 2016 rolls around and the Twins might actually be playing playoff baseball Mauer will be 33. I haven't looked this up but I would guess there aren't many catchers that are still good players let alone elite by the time they turn 33.

[Reginald Maudling's Shin]

There is no reason to trade Mauer. The Twins have piles of money available to spend but not much to spend it on as it is. People can complain about the lack of spending in FA and I think they could have done better this year but there really aren't that many good deals signed by FA's.

 

Payroll goes up and it goes down. It was peaking in 2010/2011 because the Twins had a lot of veteran players and TF simply allowed them to retain most of those guys. It's going down now because rebuilding teams get younger. And when you get younger you get cheaper. I cannot understand why this is difficult to understand.

 

Now if boston was actually offering Bogaerts, Barnes and maybe even Bradley then I would be interested. yes that is a ridiculous package of talent but Mauer's contributions extend far beyond what he does on the baseball field.

Agreed. I don't understand why every other thread degrades into "Twins are cheap, derp derp!11!!"

Trading Mauer now makes no sense. The only thing that makes less sense is pre-emptively bitching that the Twins wouldn't spend the mythical savings the right way. It sucks that they're losing now, but it's not exactly unexpected.