Should the twins trade Mauer?

[dickay]

Do you also realize that he's the best player they're probably going to have for a while

yes...although I think they could bring in some very good talent for him that would be near MLB ready. Do you at least agree with that?

and that they're likely the best team in their division and that this might be their best shot at contending for a while if Mauer does in fact leave

I personally like DET better in their division but agree they are close. Yes this might be their best shot at contending for awhile, but they have a young team, always a good farm, and Mauer could bring good talent back. I see no reason that they can't remain "competitive" for the next few years even if dealing him. Yes maybe not "as competitive"..but then again, having him as 1/4 of the payroll may mandate they have to lose other players in the next few years than they may long term be less competitive with him and that contract than without him. Especially if additional injury ever strikes.

and that without Mauer, their team is significantly weakened?

Of course it is.

[actionjackson]

[Josh123123123]

1-22 *facepalm*

[actionjackson]

1-22 *facepalm*

I hesitate to ask but .

[200tang]

I hesitate to ask but .

He's facepalming at dickay because he's the only one who voted yes and twenty two people voted no.

[actionjackson]

It's not a bad thing to stand out from the crowd. You can stand out on principle, stand out because you love to argue/enjoy going against the grain, but sometimes you stand out because you're just plain wrong. Nothing wrong with being wrong, provided that in time you can come to realize it and learn from it...

[etothep]

It's not a bad thing to stand out from the crowd. You can stand out on principle, stand out because you love to argue/enjoy going against the grain, but sometimes you stand out because you're just plain wrong. Nothing wrong with being wrong, provided that in time you can come to realize it and learn from it...

Oh Noes! The wrath of dickay will soon rain down upon you

[boomboom]

It would be a huge mistake if the Twins do not resign Mauer. The only good reason why the twins won't be able to resign him is if Mauer doesn't want to be in Minnesota. It would be utterly stupid to trade Mauer. He deserves at Least a 5 year deal. Even 7 or 10 years I would say would be ok thou Risky. Trading Mauer isn't an option...I am not understanding shacky's reasoning...

[200tang]

shacky?

[dickay]

shacky?

shacky = dickay....former callsign

[boomboom]

shacky = dickay....former callsign

Haha, I didn't even know I did that... Long live BMO ;-)

[daves]

Close vote. But the true question is can they afford to keep him in the future?

1 vote yes = dickay the Minny GM?

[haveacigar]

If you aren't going to trust your team to compete with arguably the best position player in baseball, who is surrounded by a pretty solid core (Morneau, Nathan, Blackburn, Hardy, Hudson, Kubel, Span, all good players), when are you going to compete?

Plus, with Smith's trading track record for good players, I woudln't trust him to deal another star.

[Alloutwar]

how did you fail to mention Punto?

Best player in MLB

[dickay]

If you aren't going to trust your team to compete with arguably the best position player in baseball, who is surrounded by a pretty solid core (Morneau, Nathan, Blackburn, Hardy, Hudson, Kubel, Span, all good players), when are you going to compete?

i prefer to be competitive every year than for one or two. i fear having 1/4 of your payroll spent on one guy who youre tied to forever in baseball years doesn't allow for that. The twins have been successful over the last decade for the most part because they've drafted and developed extremely well and have been able to make very good use of their limited resources financially. Trading him would bring back some significant talent as well.

How many catchers would have been productive in the latter half of a 10 year contract signed at age 27?? Not Piazza, not Bench, maybe pudge barely but definetely not worth 20 mil per. And none of them at age 27 had back or knee injuries on their resume that I can recall. Sure, Mauer could be moved to 1st or DH'd after the demanding position takes more of a toll. Yeah, I want to chance 1/4th of my payroll that my beaten up catcher will be able to change positions of DH and still be "as" productive with the bat for the latter 3-5 years of his contract!?! No thanks.

I've talked mostly about a "7" year contract because thats the max i can fathom...but as you all know most of the speculation has been closer to 10 year.

Plus, with Smith's trading track record for good players, I woudln't trust him to deal another star.

Fair....then the twins should get a new GM if they themselves fair that way.