Report: Twins Place Mauer On Trade Waivers
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – The Minnesota Twins could be on the verge of trading all-star catcher Joe Mauer, according to several reports that came out Wednesday morning.
"Well, you know what, nothing really surprises me with baseball," said Mauer's father, Jake. "I don't think it's that big of a deal."
WCCO-TV Sports Director Mark Rosen talked about the possibilities Wednesday morning. Mauer was reportedly placed on trade waivers either late Tuesday night.
If a team were to put in a claim on Mauer, it would have 72 hours to come to an agreement on a trade with the Twins. Mauer currently has more than $140 million left of an 8-year, $184 million contract, so only teams who have a lot of money to spend would have legitimate interest. One of those teams is the Boston Red Sox, who just got rid of more than $275 million in salary after trading Adrian Gonzalez, Josh Beckett and Carl Crawford to the L.A. Dodgers.
It's highly unlikely that Mauer would be traded. He has a full no-trade clause in his contract, and that would have to be waived for a trade to happen. The Twins would also ask for several players in return for the super star.
"I think it will be much ado about nothing, but you just never know," Rosen said. "His contract goes through 2018 and he has an absolute iron-clad no-trade clause. The Twins won't just give him away. But if he's sick and tired of losing, sick and tired of looking at the Twins at the bottom of the standings and he doesn't see a future here in the peak years of his career, he could certainly waive that."
Rosen said he thinks it's an interesting headline, but highly doubts that Mauer would be moved.
"Given the state of this team right now, Joe Mauer has his detractors right now. A lot of fans out there are pretty upset with the whole Twins organization right now," Rosen said. "If they feel trading Mauer would be the key to starting a new future for this baseball team, I think some fans would sign on. But you better recognize some of the names you're getting back in return for him, and that's where the conversation starts."
It's also not uncommon for big-name players to be put on trade waivers. Several players go on that list every year without getting claimed. Teams have until noon Wednesday to claim Mauer.
WCCO Radio's Dave Lee spoke with Sid Hartman and Mike Max about Mauer being put on trade waivers.
NewsRadio 830 WCCO's Dave Lee With Mike Max
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NewsRadio 830 WCCO's Dave Lee With Sid Hartman
