LestersLegends.com

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Last year Joe Mauer’s health limited him to 82 games, with only 52 games coming at catcher.
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Not only that, but the lifetime .323 hitter hit just .287. Making matters worse he had just 18 extra base hits (three HRs) in 296 at bats for a paltry .368 slugging percentage. He nearly hit that for average during two of his his three batting average titles.
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Not exactly what you expect from a guy cashing in 23 million dollars for the year. For the first time in his career, the fans turned on Mauer. In their minds he wasn’t being paid that much to play a fraction of the games and show no resemblance of the guy that hit 28 home runs in 2009, which seems like an eternity ago.
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A lot of the blame can go to the lower body injuries, to steal a hockey term, that sapped his power. Without that core strength you can’t drive the baseball. He also battled pneumonia, which ultimately ended his season. Not only did that drain his energy, but it led to some serious weight loss.
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Mauer is healthy once again and back to his playing weight. It is a bit of a gamble to say he is completely back to form, but he definitely appears to be in much better shape heading into the season.
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He is also enjoying a solid time at the plate this spring. He still isn’t producing the extra base hits, but if he stays healthy, they will come.
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I wouldn’t expect 2009 to ever be anything more than a blip in his career, but at least the doubles should return.
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Also check out:

• 2012 Fantasy Baseball First Base Rankings
• 2012 Fantasy Baseball Second Base Rankings
• 2012 Fantasy Baseball Third Base Rankings
• 2012 Fantasy Baseball Shortstop Rankings
• 2012 Fantasy Baseball Catcher Rankings
• 2012 Fantasy Baseball Outfielder Rankings
• 2012 Fantasy Baseball Starting Pitcher Rankings
• 2012 Fantasy Baseball Closer Rankings
• Additional 2012 Fantasy Baseball First Base Options
• Additional 2012 Fantasy Baseball Second Base Options
• Additional 2012 Fantasy Baseball Third Base Options
• Additional 2012 Fantasy Baseball Shortstop Options
• Additional 2012 Fantasy Baseball Catcher Options
• Additional 2012 Fantasy Baseball Outfielder Options
• Additional 2012 Fantasy Baseball Starting Pitcher Options
• Additional 2012 Fantasy Baseball Closer Options
• 2012 Fantasy Baseball Sleepers
• AL-Only Fantasy Baseball Rankings
• NL-Only Fantasy Baseball Rankings

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The stars keep falling. You can make a nice All-Star team for the walking wounded. Joe Mauer is the latest to join the M.A.S.H. unit. You aren’t exactly going to miss Mauer’s production, as he’s hitting .235 with two runs, four RBI, and just one extra base hit. Still a tough break for fantasy owners. Here are some possible options to fill the void:
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• Russell Martin, NYY:  .289, six runs, three HRs, nine RBI, two SBs
• John Buck, FLA:  .217, four runs, one HR, eight RBI
• Carlos Ruiz, PHI:  .351, eight runs, two HRs, eight RBI
• Nick Hundley, SD:  .371, seven runs, two HRs, eight RBI
• Alex Avila, DET:  .258, five runs, three HRs, eight RBI, one SB
• Ryan Hanigan, CIN:  .304, six runs, two HRs, six RBI
• A.J. Pierzynski, CHW:  .256, three runs, five RBI

Twins fans have to  have mixed emotions over this weekend’s developments. Joe Nathan tested his elbow and confirmed people’s fears. He will have Tommy John surgery, which will knock him out for the year. It’s not all bad news for Nathan fans. Once recovered from the surgery, pitchers can come back even stronger. This very well could have extended Nathan’s career.

That brings us to the other Twins news. If Nathan can stick around a while longer he can play with Joe Mauer, the Twins catcher that just signed a ten-year $189 million contract. He’s a heck of a ballplayer, but I fear it will just keep the Twins in mediocrity. With such a big amount locked up on one player, the Twins could struggle to put the pieces around him. That same concept failed miserably with the Timberwolves and Kevin Garnett. Mauer will get the praises for sticking with his hometown team, but do note that Mauer did not give his club the hometown discount. In fact, he never has. That doesn’t make him a bad person, but just make sure you are giving him credit for what he deserves.

While Joe Mauer was supposedly set to sign a ten-year deal with the Twins according to WCCO, it appears the announcement was premature. There were, however, some other moves that were on a much smaller scale.

Melvin Mora inked a deal with the Colorado Rockies. He will serve as a utility player as he can play virtually every position. He will turn 38 on Sunday, and his fantasy value has probably dried up, as evidenced by his .260, 44 R, 8 HR, 48 RBI 2009 numbers. 

Kevin Millar, who’s also 38, will try his luck with the Cubs. Millar managed to hit just .223 with 7 HRs and 29 RBIs for the Blue Jays last year. He too has little to no fantasy value, and little may have skipped town.

The Reds bolstered their infielde by signing free agent SS Orlando Cabrera and trading for Aaron Miles. Cabrera will start for the Reds and likely hit in the two-hole. He had a solid year split between the A’s and the Twins hitting .284 with 83 runs, 9 HRs, and 77 RBIs. He has a good chance of replicating those numbers in Cincinnati. Miles will serve as a backup infielder and has little fantasy value.

Ryan Garko signed with Seattle. He’ll be used primarily as a bat off the bench to face lefties. He could also play some first, DH, and even have spot duty at catcher. He too has little fantasy value.

The Twins have done it again. Once upon a time they were able to keep Kirby Puckett from entertaining thoughts of playing for a big market team. They struck gold again by keeping their hometown hero Joe Mauer for a decade (click to see WCCO’s article).

The terms were not released, but it can be assumed that it’s a hefty sum, but significantly lower than an offer he could have got from the Red Sox or Yankees had he tested the free agent market.

This is a great day for Twins fans. It remains to be seen if they can put enough talent around him to challenge for a title. However, the Twins can breathe a sigh of relief that they are opening their new stadium with their most important building block in place.

***It appears WCCO was premature in announcing the news. I imagine a deal is in the works though***

Image courtesy of Icon SMI

If you’re a sports nut like me you factor that aspect in when selecting a place to take a vacation.  When you are planning your Summer vacation, I ask that you consider Minnesota.  Unless you are an avid ice fisher or snowmobile, I recommend staying away from Minnesota in the Winter, but it is a beautiful place in the other three seasons.

It should come as no surprise that the land that gave birth to water skiing would know how to turn water into a playground. Sailing. Wakeboarding. Windsurfing. Jet skiing. Boating. Scuba Diving.  Minnesota is also host to the world’s largest tub of fresh water—Lake Superior—a great location for adventure kayaking. And don’t forget world-class canoeing in the million-acre Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

Our almost 12,000 lakes hold some of the finest game fish to ever wear scales: large and smallmouth bass, trout, pike, muskies, and of course, Minnesota‘s state fish – the mighty walleye.  Plus, Minnesota has about 10 million acres of public land open to hunting–that’s about one-fifth of the state’s area. There’s great hunting for deer, waterfowl, grouse, pheasant, and all manner of large and small game. 

Minnesota has become an established travel destination for the golf aficionado. After all, it is home to more national USGA events than any other state. Here you’ll find the perfect blend of technical challenges and breathtaking beauty. From the open links of the prairie to the woodsy parkland courses with their rolling fairways and water hazards. And with 90% of Minnesota’s 498 golf courses open to the public, a dream round is just a trip away.

Minnesota’s natural scenery is thrilling all on its own. But it’s even more breathtaking when it’s amplified by high adrenaline and adventure. Whether you like to commune with nature by thundering through the woods on a mountain bike or by way of kayak, your inner adventurer will love Minnesota’s wild side.

If you prefer more traditional sports like baseball, it’s your last chance to see the Minnesota Twins in the Metrodome.  I prefer baseball outdoors, but if you’ve never watched a game in a dome, it does have some intrigue, especially when the Twins are playing well.  The loudest gave I have ever been to in any sport was a Twins-Red Sox game in the dome around the time of their 1991 World Series title.  They have two of the best players in the game in Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau.

What are you waiting for?  Explore Minnesota.

Image courtesy of Icon SMI

He’s back.  Pun Intended.  Joe Mauer is set to make his triumphant return against the Kansas City Royals.  The two-time Batting Champ will not only bolster the Twins sagging Offense (10th in the AL in average, 12th in Runs) with his bat, but also a struggling pitching staff (10th in ERA) with his ability to call a game.  It will be harder to steal bases on the Twins, who currently rank 9th in Caught Stealing Percentage.