Mauer joins big guns with US$184m Twins deal
Source: Agencies |
March 24, 2010, Wednesday
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MINNESOTA Twins catcher Joe Mauer became one of baseball's highest-paid players when he signed an US$184 million, eight-year contract extension on Monday.
The 26-year-old Mauer even used the same pen he signed his rookie contract with in 2001, when the Twins made him the No. 1 pick in the draft.
The new deal should make Mauer a fixture with his hometown team through 2018.
Contract negotiations between the Twins and Mauer began about 60 days ago.
"I made it real clear when we started the process that this is where I wanted to be," Mauer said. "I love my teammates, and I love our coaching staff. Once we started, I made it clear that this was my main goal. I wanted to stay in a Twins uniform, and I want to win. And we're definitely headed in the right direction."
The Twins already have a payroll approaching a club-record US$100 million. Mauer's contract puts him in the same category as New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter and third baseman Alex Rodriguez.
Flanked by his agents, Ron Shapiro and Michael Maas to his right and Twins general manager Bill Smith and team president Dave St Peter to his left, Mauer said one word immediately after signing: "Wow."
"They've been here for me my whole life," Joe Mauer said. "I wouldn't be here without them."
He said although he remained serious in getting a favorable deal, he never wanted to leave for another team in another city.
Mauer hit .365 with a career-best 28 home runs and 96 RBI last season after beginning the year on the disabled list while recovering from a back injury. He went on to win his second Gold Glove Award, his third American League batting title and his first Most Valuable Player Award.
"I love putting on a Minnesota Twins uniform," Mauer said. "It's a real thrill to be able to do this for the rest of my career. I have to tell everybody here I'll give you everything I've got. My ultimate goal is to win a World Series. I'm looking forward to doing that. Thank you for coming, and let's get back to work tomorrow, eh?
"I had hoped that we would get to this stage," Twins owner Jim Pohlad said. "We had high hopes.
"This was such a unique opportunity. He's a hometown, MVP. We're really happy to have him."
The 26-year-old Mauer even used the same pen he signed his rookie contract with in 2001, when the Twins made him the No. 1 pick in the draft.
The new deal should make Mauer a fixture with his hometown team through 2018.
Contract negotiations between the Twins and Mauer began about 60 days ago.
"I made it real clear when we started the process that this is where I wanted to be," Mauer said. "I love my teammates, and I love our coaching staff. Once we started, I made it clear that this was my main goal. I wanted to stay in a Twins uniform, and I want to win. And we're definitely headed in the right direction."
The Twins already have a payroll approaching a club-record US$100 million. Mauer's contract puts him in the same category as New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter and third baseman Alex Rodriguez.
Flanked by his agents, Ron Shapiro and Michael Maas to his right and Twins general manager Bill Smith and team president Dave St Peter to his left, Mauer said one word immediately after signing: "Wow."
"They've been here for me my whole life," Joe Mauer said. "I wouldn't be here without them."
He said although he remained serious in getting a favorable deal, he never wanted to leave for another team in another city.
Mauer hit .365 with a career-best 28 home runs and 96 RBI last season after beginning the year on the disabled list while recovering from a back injury. He went on to win his second Gold Glove Award, his third American League batting title and his first Most Valuable Player Award.
"I love putting on a Minnesota Twins uniform," Mauer said. "It's a real thrill to be able to do this for the rest of my career. I have to tell everybody here I'll give you everything I've got. My ultimate goal is to win a World Series. I'm looking forward to doing that. Thank you for coming, and let's get back to work tomorrow, eh?
"I had hoped that we would get to this stage," Twins owner Jim Pohlad said. "We had high hopes.
"This was such a unique opportunity. He's a hometown, MVP. We're really happy to have him."
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