Mauer Agrees To $33 Million Contract With Twins
By Michael Williams (2/28/2007)
Joe Mauer, the AL batting champion, agreed to a $33 million contract for four years with the Twins and as a resulted both avoided salary arbitration.
Mauer is 23 years old and last year he hit .347 with 84 RBIs which helped the Twins come back from a 12 1/2 game deficit to win the AL Central on the final day of the regular season. Last summer, Mauer also ended up playing his first All Star game.
On agreeing to the contract which gives him the security of a long term deal, Mauer said that he excited to be in Minnesota for the next four years and he was looking forward to being there when the new stadium opens.
In 2001, Mauer was first pick in the amateur draft from Cretin Derham Hall High School in St Paul. This winter, Mauer became eligible for arbitration for the first time. He is the first catcher to lead the MLB in batting average and the first AL catcher to win a batting title.
Ron Shapiro, Mauer’s agent, was very happy with the four year contract and said that more than any other player Mauer deserves to play for the Twins.
The contract will keep Mauer with the Twins through 2010, when the team moves to a new ballpark. In 2007, Mauer will receive $3.75 million, $6.25 million in 2008, $10.5 million in 2009 and $12.5 million in 2010. Besides this, Mauer will receive additional bonuses and will get the right to designate three teams each year that he can not be traded to without his consent. |