This is Blasphemy, This is madness!

While perusing the internet I came across this article, that chronicles what the Twins should do if they can't sign one, Joe Mauer. Obviously to ANYONE that knows baseball, if Mauer and the Twins can't come to an agreement he MUST be traded for Major League Ready talent and a guy or 2 that are on the cusp. Thinking about this, is it really no surprise that the Red Sox have not yet even OFFERED a contract to Victor Martinez? Also the Twins just lost their All-Star closer. They have needs now and going forward that would need to be addressed. So what I'm going to do is look at what it could/would take for Joe Mauer to come to The Hub.

It is no revelation that the Red Sox are waiting to see what happens with Mauer to tender a deal to Victor Martinez. Because let's face it, Mauer is the cream of the crop as far as Backstops go, and Martinez is 2^nd tier both offensively AND defensively. Joe Mauer would command a haul like NO OTHER on the trade market and there are FEW teams that can afford him financially and in terms of talent. In some related good news, the Yankees can't. They no longer have the talent in their farm system or the pieces on their Major League Roster. But don't let him get to free agency because money is something they do have.

In order for any baseball team to be successful in this day and age, you need to have a shutdown Closer and be solid up the middle. Being that the Twins were paying Joe Nathan 11.25 million they could probably afford a 9+ million dollar player at the same position to step in and do just as good a job. Enter Jonathan Papelbon. I am not Special Ed enough to think that you can center around a closer, even an All-Star closer. BUT lets say you add a Victor Martinez into the mix, then you're well on your way to a successful deal. You may think this is stupid to give two perennial All-Stars for the price of one but you're giving an aging catcher (I realize 31 isn't old but when you're a catcher in the big leagues that's like being 35 for any other position) and a Closer who's on a one year deal (expiring contracts!!!) that in the past has had some arm trouble, for a catcher that although seems like the perfect player has had a small injury history. Although this is a sweet deal I don't think its enough. You would have to give them one of your OF and/or starting pitching prospects to make this deal whole.

I'm also looking for a bullpen arm as well if I am Theo Epstein to bolster your bullpen. I would ask for EITHER Jon Rauch (more salary relief than anything for the Twins) or Matt Guerrier.

Now it comes down to the money. This is where it seems eerily do-able: (Salaries are for 2010 only)

Joe Mauer-16 million

Matt Guerrier- 1.475 million

Jon Rauch- 2.9 million

For

Jonathan Papelbon-9.35 million

Victor Martinez-7 million

(Insert Kalish, Reddick, Dubront, Pimentel, Fuentes) (Potentially 2 of these players)

Knowing that the Twins are a very frugal team you would have to give them cash considerations as well. I would look for something around a million which would give them another 650K to play around with at their own disposal. The Twins could try to experiment with Rauch or Guerrier as their closer but Paps would make them VERY solid at the back end of their pen and they also wouldn't be losing much in terms of offense either.

This may sound far-fetched, and to many extents it is. But if you have the utmost confidence in Daniel Bard, which I do, than I'm making this deal tonight or at least calling the Twins GM and telling him if you can't sign Mauer this deal is on the table, and it's on the table right now.

It's difficult for me to write this because I, more than anybody actually want Joe Mauer to stay in Minnesota. But the business side of baseball intrigues me and SOMEONE has to have the pieces to trade for Mauer, because there is no way on God's green Earth that the Twins would only get compensation picks for him.

Stay Tuned

Ryan