Say it aint so Joe (1 Viewer)

[Wrigley]

Twins placed C Joe Mauer on the 15-day disabled list with bilateral leg weaknessMauer has been out for the past two games, but the news still comes as a major surprise. Bilateral leg weakness is a condition often related to nerve or spinal cord issues and can be quite serious when at its worst. Mauer will visit a specialist in Baltimore this weekend. The light-hitting Drew Butera is likely to draw most of the starts behind the plate in his absence.

 

[pollardsvision]

I'm no doctor, but I would think "bilateral leg weakness" would be exhibit 8,372,948 why it's not a great idea to have possibly the greatest hitting prospect your organization has ever had and have him squatting for 2 hours every night.

 

[cheese]

I'm no doctor, but I would think "bilateral leg weakness" would be exhibit 8,372,948 why it's not a great idea to have possibly the greatest hitting prospect your organization has ever had and have him squatting for 2 hours every night.

Not to mention the stupidity of giving the largest contract in the history of your organization to a catcher (and then keeping him there).

 

[Limp Ditka]

Starting to think the guy's a vag. 1st he backs down to Polamalu, instead of telling him that he has stupid hair to his face, and now this?

 

[Funkley]

I'm no doctor, but I would think "bilateral leg weakness" would be exhibit 8,372,948 why it's not a great idea to have possibly the greatest hitting prospect your organization has ever had and have him squatting for 2 hours every night.

Because a .310 batting average with 9 home runs and no speed makes you a below average corner infielder or corner outfielder. All of his "value" is tied to being a catcher.

 

[cheese]

I'm no doctor, but I would think "bilateral leg weakness" would be exhibit 8,372,948 why it's not a great idea to have possibly the greatest hitting prospect your organization has ever had and have him squatting for 2 hours every night.

Because a .310 batting average with 9 home runs and no speed makes you a below average corner infielder or corner outfielder. All of his "value" is tied to being a catcher.

Chicken or the egg argument here. What would his stats be if he weren't playing catcher?

 

[Funkley]

Zero reason to think they'd be substantially different. A small bounce up? Maybe.

 

[Doug B]

Because a .310 batting average with 9 home runs and no speed makes you a below average corner infielder or corner outfielder. All of his "value" is tied to being a catcher.

Basically makes him Mark Grace or Keith Hernandez. Not that bad

 

[Funkley]

Because a .310 batting average with 9 home runs and no speed makes you a below average corner infielder or corner outfielder. All of his "value" is tied to being a catcher.

Basically makes him Mark Grace or Keith Hernandez. Not that bad

At $23 million a season. Oooffff.

 

[pollardsvision]

I'm no doctor, but I would think "bilateral leg weakness" would be exhibit 8,372,948 why it's not a great idea to have possibly the greatest hitting prospect your organization has ever had and have him squatting for 2 hours every night.

Because a .310 batting average with 9 home runs and no speed makes you a below average corner infielder or corner outfielder. All of his "value" is tied to being a catcher.

I partially agree and I thought the Twins were crazy to give him that sort of contract, even if he ended up a corner IF.However, I'd have to think, if they tried to move him to 3B in the minors, that could've been a great move (assuming he could, as he certainly seems athletic enough for the task).Mauer as 3B probably would've been healthier and probably developed yearly 15-20 HR power. That, along with a .400 OBP, would've been miles better than the crap they've rolled out at the hot corner since Koskie.

 

[cheese]

Zero reason to think they'd be substantially different. A small bounce up? Maybe.

Here are a few reasons...1. He would play more games.2. He would have fewer minor injuries.3. His legs/body wouldn't be as tired.4. His focus would be much more on hitting.5. His prime in the league would likely last more seasons.And the contract is terrible no matter where he is playing.

 

[Doug B]

At $23 million a season. Oooffff.

Guys like Hernandez, Steve Garvey, and Wade Boggs were some of the biggest stars of their eras in their primes ... those guys were presumably among the highest-paid, too. You're right about Mauer's value being tied to playing catcher, though -- he doesn't get quite that big of a contract if he's playing 1B or RF.

 

[Funkley]

Zero reason to think they'd be substantially different. A small bounce up? Maybe.

Here are a few reasons...1. He would play more games.2. He would have fewer minor injuries.3. His legs/body wouldn't be as tired.4. His focus would be much more on hitting.5. His prime in the league would likely last more seasons.And the contract is terrible no matter where he is playing.

There is little to no historical evidence to support this. And keep in mind we arent talking about turning a 25 home run guy into a 35 home run guy....which would still be a flimsy argument. We're talking about turning a 9 home run guy into what? 15? 20? Again, there is no evidence for this. Next we can start talking about the list of star catchers that hit just fine while catching. Would playing firstbase have turned Johnny Bench into Babe Ruth? Of course not.

 

[sports_fan]

A large portion of Mauer's contract size is tied to his fan base. The public outcry would have been substantial had the Twins been unable to reach a contract extension with him. He knew that, the Twins knew that, and it factored into the equation. Also Target Field is practically printing money in relation to the days of the inflatable toilet (Metrodome). In no way can the Twins currently be considered a small market club. Sure that's still a lot of money but it went to one of the most popular players in franchise history.