03-23-2010, 03:13 PM
Mauer's contract will probably turn out to be like Todd Helton's...he'll give them good production, but it won't be enough to be worth the money in the long run. And the last few years of the deal, when he's a 30-something DH-1B, will really look bad.
And I do think that the Twins could have got a better deal. It's true that you don't want to have him on the open market, especially when Boston is seeking a catcher. But the Yankees already have the best catching prospect alive (Jesus Montero), so it's unlikely that they'd drive up the numbers with Mauer.
Anyway, it's a moot point now. The Twins did what they had to do; their fans would have revolted if they'd let their most popular player since Kirby Puckett walk.
And Tom and Butch have to be excited at the prospect of the Twins being the favorite in the AL Central for the next 5 years or so.
And I do think that the Twins could have got a better deal. It's true that you don't want to have him on the open market, especially when Boston is seeking a catcher. But the Yankees already have the best catching prospect alive (Jesus Montero), so it's unlikely that they'd drive up the numbers with Mauer.
Anyway, it's a moot point now. The Twins did what they had to do; their fans would have revolted if they'd let their most popular player since Kirby Puckett walk.
And Tom and Butch have to be excited at the prospect of the Twins being the favorite in the AL Central for the next 5 years or so.
There's nothing better than to realize that the good things about youth don't end with youth itself. It's a matter of realizing that life can be renewed every day you get out of bed without baggage. It's tough to get there, but it's better than the dark thoughts. -Lance