Joe Mauer put on waivers

[chicagowhitesox1173]

Does this mean Mauer will leave Minnesotta? I was never really clear on how the waiver wire works.

[wu-tang clan]

I really, really hope Ryan's just gauging his value and isn't actually considering trading him, especially for scrub prospects as per the last big-money departure. Personally, it would probably affect me more than Johan Santana's departure, and possibly even more than Randy Moss'. I would probably feel very sad for at least one week. But yeah, I can't possibly see Minnesota getting a good deal for him from Boston (the team rumored most interested; he would be a perfect fit there, and would likely win an MVP next season with Fenway as his home ballpark), so yeah, please, please Terry Ryan, don't pull the trigger.

I don't wish to sound hyperbolic when I say he'd likely win an MVP award next season with Fenway as his home ballpark, as the shortened left field would mean his singles-hit-the-other-way rate would probably dip a bit, but I don't consider it inconceivable for him to hit one double per home game (banged off of that monstrous left field wall, of course). Out of curiosity, what's the record for most doubles in a season?

[chicagowhitesox1173]

I would be very shocked if he left. But after reading more and more about this it does seem possible. I do think Boston would be a good fit for him.

[9&10]

As a Red Sox fan, I'd love to see him there. Regarding waivers, a team who wins the claim has 72 hours to negotiate a trade.

[dadair6]

Mauer, to me, isn't the type of player that could handle the pressure of playing in a city like Boston, especially after the season they're having. He seems too "aw schucks" and has had the benefit of being the hometown kid who had an amazing start to his career. He really hasn't faced the type of fan scrutiny and criticism with his recent struggles like he would face in Boston.

[PlanetZoltan]

I really, really hope Ryan's just gauging his value and isn't actually considering trading him, especially for scrub prospects as per the last big-money departure. Personally, it would probably affect me more than Johan Santana's departure, and possibly even more than Randy Moss'. I would probably feel very sad for at least one week. But yeah, I can't possibly see Minnesota getting a good deal for him from Boston (the team rumored most interested; he would be a perfect fit there, and would likely win an MVP next season with Fenway as his home ballpark), so yeah, please, please Terry Ryan, don't pull the trigger.

I don't wish to sound hyperbolic when I say he'd likely win an MVP award next season with Fenway as his home ballpark, as the shortened left field would mean his singles-hit-the-other-way rate would probably dip a bit, but I don't consider it inconceivable for him to hit one double per home game (banged off of that monstrous left field wall, of course). Out of curiosity, what's the record for most doubles in a season?

Record for most doubles in a season is 67 set back in 1936 i believe. Its a record i would absolutely love to see get chased down by somebody. (Especially if it were a Red Sox player )

[ol' aches and pains]

Wow, I didn't see that coming. Mauer is a local Minnesota kid, he's the face of the franchise. Other than Mauer and Morneau I'd be hard-pressed to name another Minnesota Twin.

[Yankillaz]

So now teams give away millions of dollars for players who aren't worth it, and then just purchased them?

This is all Tom Hicks fault!!!

I don't see possible for any team to pick Mauer without the team absorbing some of its salary.

[White Knight]

The Yanks desperately need a catcher. I would love to have him.

[1905 Giants]

Out of curiosity, what's the record for most doubles in a season?

The record is 67 by Earl Webb in 1931

[RubeBaker]

Does this mean Mauer will leave Minnesotta? I was never really clear on how the waiver wire works.

Highly doubt it. Teams often put most of the 25 man roster on trade waivers every year during August. They're just looking to see who would potentially have interest. I would guess nobody is going to make a claim, since no one wants the risk of taking that contract, but even if they did, trade waivers are revocable and they can opt to pull him back if they can't get a deal done.

This really isn't news. It's common practice.

[Buczilla]

Mauer isn't going nowhere. Trading him would be lose-lose for the Twins which ever avenue they took. As RubeBaker mentioned, this happens all the time, every year.

Here is something else that is being left out of all these eye popping articles, Mauer would have to sign off....he has a full no trade clause in his contract.

[RubeBaker]

Mauer isn't going nowhere. Trading him would be lose-lose for the Twins which ever avenue they took. As RubeBaker mentioned, this happens all the time, every year.

Here is something else that is being left out of all these eye popping articles, Mauer would have to sign off....he has a full no trade clause in his contract.

Not if a team were to make the waiver claim and then the Twins just let him walk, a la Alex Rios in 2010. I think that contract is what will keep teams from even making a claim. Despite his popularity, I don't think the Twins are beyond just dumping at this point. Despite the fact that he has been solid this year, the Twins just can't do much with their roster due to that ball and chain hanging around their necks.

[aztecsince79]

As has been mentioned a time or two, all kinds of players are placed on the waiver wire for a variety of reasons and, whether they are claimed or not, are usually pulled back off the wire by their team. We generally don't hear about it because it is not public information. Otherwise, the media would go bananas over some of the names. Most of the rare news stories you see about so-and-so being placed on the waiver wire will include a line like "..., sources said."

I wouldn't take it as an indication of Mauer's future or the Twins intentions.

[Buczilla]

Not if a team were to make the waiver claim and then the Twins just let him walk, a la Alex Rios in 2010. I think that contract is what will keep teams from even making a claim. Despite his popularity, I don't think the Twins are beyond just dumping at this point. Despite the fact that he has been solid this year, the Twins just can't do much with their roster due to that ball and chain hanging around their necks.

One also has to consider the fact that he really isn't a full time catcher anymore either. $138 million plus whatever else is due to him this season becomes even that much more hard to swallow.