…One Joe Here To Say!

Well, Joe Mauer is going to have a lot more to smile about now…

…and so do we (the fans)!  Eight more years (nine, counting 2010) of arguably the most talented player in the major leagues right now.

Although crossing the 20% (of the total payroll) threshold has been suicide for many teams (just remember A-Rod going to Texas), I think the Twins have a good enough organization and farm system to build around Mauer (or keep the talent around, as is the case now) for many years.

Giving 8 years and $184 million to a health-risk catcher may seem dicey, but Mauer is the exception to the rule.  If he wanted to stay, and he did, then the right move was locking him up at any price.

It just boggles my mind that only 20 years ago, Kirby Puckett…

  was the first guy in the majors to make $3 million per season.   Crazy.