tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post3519111302861254103..comments2023-12-19T20:25:36.069-06:00Comments on Nick's Twins Blog: Mauer, Not Morneau: Why?Nick N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00848574337121154690noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post-60651714960147262342007-02-24T03:48:00.000-06:002007-02-24T03:48:00.000-06:00I think the Twins want Justin in their lineup for ...I think the Twins want Justin in their lineup for the next several years. After the dearth of offense from that position since Herbie retired, last year's performance by Morneau was a tremendous breakthrough. If you don't think that opposing pitchers fear this guy, consider how well Cuddyer did hitting in front of him. I also believe he's shown that he is serious about his game and is dedicated to improvement; even over last year's MVP numbers. Mauer, Santana and Morneau. We better do all we can to keep these three guys locked up for the next few years.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post-21490044127013582842007-02-15T20:11:00.000-06:002007-02-15T20:11:00.000-06:00Let's not forget the more provincial side of the s...Let's not forget the more provincial side of the story. Mauer is "one of us." They market that to the moon and back. Minnesotans have serious issues with people that are outsiders. This alone would push the Twins to go with Mauer, who T. Ryan in an interview noted is the face of the Twins. Read that "he sells well."<BR/><BR/>It is a good thing that Mauer is a great player; it makes the signing a good deal. However, I will be sorry when Morneau goes but sorrier yet when we lose Santana.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post-62479684969387189772007-02-13T15:21:00.000-06:002007-02-13T15:21:00.000-06:00But the key point there is that it wouldn't make m...But the key point there is that it wouldn't make much sense to offer Morneau a 4 year deal since it would not buy out any free agency. Now you'e talking about a 5 year deal and I think we know that Terry Ryan is very uncomfortable doing that. Ryan may be wise to just go with the one year deal. As was mentioned above, that MVP award is a big thing. It'd be buying high for the Twins now. Hopefully he comes back with another stellar season for the Twins in 2007, and if he does, 4 years, $33 million won't even be a starting point any more because of the extra year. But if he has even a league average AL 1B season (which would still be good), they could get him at a more reasonable price next year. Not a big deal either way. They have him for three more years, after 2007. I would rather they get Cuddyer locked up for 3-4, and concentrate on extending Santana and Nathan. <BR/><BR/>SethSpeaks.netAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post-52339072810449764402007-02-13T15:14:00.000-06:002007-02-13T15:14:00.000-06:00Look, it's not like the Twins wouldn't like to get...Look, it's not like the Twins wouldn't like to get a long-term deal done with Morneau. But there are a number of other negotiating issues as impediments that aren't there with Mauer.<BR/><BR/>Morneau has already said he's not going to be looking to give a hometeam discount to the Twins. He wants market value. Morneau just won an MVP, which carries more weight than a batting title. Morneau just put together the first 30 HR season for the franchise in a gazillion years, so that adds to his negotiating position. <BR/><BR/>Further, let's think about this from the Twins perspective. What do they gain from a 4 year deal? Cost certainty and not much else. A Mauer-esque deal doesn't buy out any years of free agency in this case, and that has to be a consideration.<BR/><BR/>As much fun as it is to mock Sid (and lord knows it is fun), his sourcing on contract issues is usually pretty decent.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post-40771904982341633162007-02-13T12:14:00.000-06:002007-02-13T12:14:00.000-06:00Morneau's contract (due to timing)ends after the 2...<I>Morneau's contract (due to timing)ends after the 2009 season. </I><BR/><BR/>Actually, he is under the Twins' control until after the 2010 season. Mauer would have been free agent eligible after 2009, but Morneau has an extra year because his service time started later.Nick N.https://www.blogger.com/profile/00848574337121154690noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post-59592083077947106372007-02-13T09:08:00.000-06:002007-02-13T09:08:00.000-06:00I read this somewhere but Morneau was offered abou...I read this somewhere but Morneau was offered about the same deal as Mauer. Morneau turned it down and opted to sign a 1 year deal instead. I don't see this as a huge deal since the Twins will continue to work with Morneau to sign him long term. Morneau's contract (due to timing)ends after the 2009 season.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00879871532412024122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post-16393666100674180252007-02-13T09:04:00.000-06:002007-02-13T09:04:00.000-06:00As everyone else has said, they want to see Mornea...As everyone else has said, they want to see Morneau do it again before they get locked into a huge deal. Can't say I blame them. <BR/><BR/>Now that he's not living with Mauer anymore, who knows what could happen. :-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post-40251982768655803272007-02-12T23:12:00.000-06:002007-02-12T23:12:00.000-06:00Good thought Seth. I do recall seeing Ryan specif...Good thought Seth. I do recall seeing Ryan specifically mention that he wasn't worried about how Mauer would handle that security. I think it's very possible they didn't feel the same way about Morneau.Nick N.https://www.blogger.com/profile/00848574337121154690noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post-68773204852509485052007-02-12T22:55:00.000-06:002007-02-12T22:55:00.000-06:00Agreed on Sid. But someone on my site commented th...Agreed on Sid. But someone on my site commented that there could be concern about how Morneau would handle the security of a long-term deal, whereas there is no concern with Mauer. That's a fair point. <BR/><BR/>SethSpeaks.netAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post-83412785340887703882007-02-12T22:12:00.000-06:002007-02-12T22:12:00.000-06:00I tend to not take seriously anything written in S...I tend to not take seriously anything written in Sid Hartman's column.Nick N.https://www.blogger.com/profile/00848574337121154690noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post-36140772765333585412007-02-12T21:49:00.000-06:002007-02-12T21:49:00.000-06:00The Twins tried to sign Morneau to the same deal t...The Twins tried to sign Morneau to the same deal that they signed Mauer to, but hewanted more money.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com