Twins Mailbag: Kohl Stewart, Mauer Extension, DH Options

They can't sign Mauer to an extension anyway so it is a moot point unless they pay 80% (yearly) of his current contract. They can offer him a new contract next offseason though.

Spending money in FA is never totally wise but if you can't avoid it forever. You just have to pick the right players. Ervin/Willingham were correct choices and Nolasco/etc were terrible choices.

Let's worry about the Mauer situation once the 2018 season is over. He's not going to run off elsewhere in FA for big bucks. I think Rooker will be the future 1B and we'll see where his progress is at by that point. He's still a below-average offensive 1B and he could decline further in the future, so that's why I'd rather play the situation on a year-by-year deal instead of giving him a 4 year extension.

I would like to see a Mauer extension…year by year or maybe two, but he should retire as a Twin. As a future hall of fame candidate, he will probably end his career as a role player, but that needs to be with the Twins, it would be a shame if it was anywhere else.

I don't know, is Stewart really much of a risk to get picked? I mean like last year our pitching went from terrible to not quite as terrible, and he was like 9,10,11...on the minor league depth chart. I doubt any team can look at him, potential and all, but look at that and see a place on a 25 man roster. I always thought they should try to work out more trades using the rule 5 though. 

And Im all for the wakefield contract, for everyone. $4m/yr mutual option forever? If all the money wouldn't just go to the owners, and they'd make tix and concessions dirt cheap. But if Mauer would be into it I think that would make sense for both him and the Twins.

I like the idea of signing Carlos Santana.

I think exposing Stewart is a reasonable move. He's not a short-term option for the 'pen right now and hasn't taken the leap forward he needs as a starter (velocity plateaued, K's haven't come, control has fluctuated) so while he's still an interesting prospect, you'd really be taking a risk trying to hold him on a MLB roster for the whole season. Hard to hold that roster spot for a guy who isn't ready to pitch right now at that level and needs innings in the minors if he's ever going to get there. I'd prefer he stays with the Twins because I do think there's still a chance for him but it's also not a terrible loss if he goes (just an indictment on the previous regime for busting a high pick).

I'd like Mauer to keep playing for the Twins, in part just to piss off Dan Barriero. But if he can stay healthy like he did this year and play at this level, he's a real asset. Not a $23M asset, but them's the breaks. I don't know what the right price is for him, where the line is between what's a good value for the team and what's a number he just says, "nah, I'm good." No new deal should be longer than 2 years, though. 2 years, $20M? If Joe gets through another season playing 140 games with this level of hitting and defense, I'd love to have him back for another go around.

Don't want Hosmer. Not even a little. Mauer was better defensively despite the GG and Hosmer has had some bad years sandwiched right in what should be his prime. This was Hosmer's best year as a pro and there are enough red flags that anyone signing him to a big deal should be nervous. he's not a good fit here and there's too much risk.

Last year, mauers performance was worth like 18M

Fix the pitching before extending position players who are not in a contract year. The Twins can probably save $ on Mauer by letting him hit free agency first anyway. I don't see him going anywhere, and if he does go somewhere, so what?

The pitching can be addressed in 1 year if the Twins are smart, so it's not like position player contracts will be unresolved forever. 

Someone is itching to respond with "The Twins can do both" -- and sure, they could -- but so far we have seen nothing to suggest the Twins have changed their tight purse strings policy, and the Twins truly just have one immediate need right now.

"Upon request by a Major League player to the Commissioner, the Commissioner may, on such conditions as he stipulates, consent to such player accepting a renewal of his contract at a salary rate less than eighty (80) percent of the rate stipulated for the preceding year, providing the salary rate is mutually agreed upon between the club and the player prior to January 10 and providing the request for consent to accept such salary is made by the player and received by the
Commissioner prior to January 10."

Twins not hamstrung by this at all.

The Player's Union tends to get involved when teams try to do this. Back in the day, A-Rod accepted what the Player's Union called a paycut and the union got the contract thrown out. The union feared it would set a bad precedent. Plus, I don't see the Twins screwing with a player in this way or Mauer agreeing. Contracts in the NFL are not guaranteed so we see this sort of thing happen all the time in the NFL, but we rarely see it in baseball where the player holds all the leverage.

I don't have much interest in hamstringing my roster with an expensive aging player that doesn't really fit well anywhere. Mauer is considerably below average offensively at 1B or DH. The defense is nice but I have to believe someone else can be more than serviceable while adding 40-50 RBI and 20-25 HR to the position. There's also a strong likelihood we'll need the flexibility to rotate more guys through that position in 2-3 years (Sano, Vargas, Garver, Kepler, Dozier, Rooker, Diaz).

Last year, mauers performance was worth like 18M

How are you calculating this value?

How are you calculating this value?

What would we do without Mauer questions?  He is a nice player who used to be a great player, but I do not believe that sentiment is going to stir our new front office.  When I see someone suggest Hosmer I just see the same discussions - just a change of name.  Neither one is a good signing for the future. 

Rooker is the only 1B/DH option I am interested in and I could see him making it to MLB at some time next year. 

Rooker hasnt seen AA ball yet, has he? And only has 40 games outside of rookie ball?