September 16, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer (7) hits a home run during the first inning against the Chicago White Sox at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-US PRESSWIRE

When the Yankees were in talks with Alex Rodriguez to make him the highest paid baseball player of all time (10-year, $275 million), those conversations made sense, considering the Yankees bankroll. However, when the Minnesota Twins’ best player, Joe Mauer, was up for a contract extension, much of the media speculated the Twins could not afford Mauer’s talents. Mauer was believed to test the free market and, presumably, end up wearing the Yankee pinstripes or mash doubles off “The Green Monster” in Boston for the Red Sox. Despite the Twins being a small market team, they were able to tie up Mauer for an 8-year, $184 million contract extension, thanks in large part to Target Field being built which resulted in loads of added revenues. The 8-year deal for Mauer’s services was a jubilant time for the organization as well as the fans, of whom have never before had a chance to see their favorite players have major, extended contracts.

The difference between the New York Yankees and the Minnesota Twins offering such large contracts to individual players is staggering. Everyone expected the Rodriguez deal to be a great fit in New York because of their large payroll and eccentric-spending billionaire, George Steinbrenner. Most people involved in the business end of baseball saw the benefits of acquiring such a skilled player and media-friendly individual in Rodriguez as well, which only added to his profitability for the Yankees.

The Twins, however, were criticized for offering Mauer such a large contract, being told how they will “bankrupt the team”, or, they “won’t be able to afford players to buy around him”, and even, “he won’t last physically throughout the contract, only giving millions to a non-home run hitting first baseman in the future”. All of those statements were concerns of mine as well, but look at how the two players have performed chronologically since signing their major contracts:

• Alex Rodriguez WAR rating (since 2008):

1. 2008 (age 33)  - 6.3 (138 games)
2. 2009 (age 34) – 4.4 (124 games)
3. 2010 (age 35) – 3.8 (137 games)
4. 2011 (age 36) – 4.2 (99 games)
5. 2012 (age 37) – 2.2 (122 games)

• Joe Mauer WAR rating (since 2010; extension began in 2011):

1. 2010 (age 27) – 5.5 (137 games)
2. 2011 (age 28) – 1.5 (82 games)
3. 2012 (age 29) – 5.0 (147 games)

Both players in the last few seasons have missed some serious game time because of injuries, but the numbers, more importantly the age, never lie.

Sep 18, 2011; Toronto, ON, Canada; New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez (13) loses his bat while swinging during the 1st inning against the Toronto Blue Jays of a game at the Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Luc Leclerc-US PRESSWIRE

Rodriguez’s first season under this new contract was at the age of 33, which, if he plays throughout the contract, means he will be a Yankee until he is 43 years old. Yes, 43 years old. There are not too many 43-year-olds that have had much success in the Major Leagues, especially ones that are locked in to earn $20 million or more every season leading up to the last year of the contract. At age 37, no one can think that Rodriguez is worth the copious amounts of money the Yankees are dishing to him every season to play slightly above average baseball in the regular season and, most recently, atrocious on the postseason. The numbers do not add up. Sure, Rodriguez helped the Yankees win one World Series in 2009, but he was not the Most Valuable Player that year in the regular season or the playoffs, and do you not pay someone more money than anyone else in all of baseball to be the best player on the field when it matters most? With five years remaining in his contract, Rodriguez better sort himself out quick if he does not plan on being shipped to obscurity for under performing.

As for Mauer, his first season after signing his extension was at age 27. If  he completes his contract with the Twins then he will be playing his last season for them at the age of 35. The likelihood of a 35-year-old ball player having success in the Majors is quite higher than at 43 (see, Alex Rodriguez). Mauer has not helped the Twins win a World Series yet, and his numbers may not be as glamorous as others earning his type of salary, but his 2012 season was much improved statistically compared to his last, especially considering that he played in a career high 147 games. Based off his batting championship, silver slugger and gold glove seasons, as well as his MVP season, there is no reason, at age 30 next year, he will not be capable of producing those numbers moving forward.

The difference between the Minnesota Twins’ and the New York Yankees’ ideology is tremendous , but perhaps what is most over-looked is the timing of when they each signed the “Big Contract” to an All-Star/MVP-type player. The Yankees signed Rodriguez at age 33 and the Twins signed Mauer at age 27. Rodriguez’s first season under the 10-year contract was at the down slope of his peak and Mauer was signed towards the beginning of his prime. So, you tell me which team signed the right “Big Contract” at the right time.

September 25, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer (7) during the game against the New York Yankees at Target Field. The Twins deafeated the Yankees 5-4. Brace Hemmelgarn-US PRESSWIRE

After the New York Yankees were swept by the Detroit Tigers in the ALCS, the Twittersphere was abuzz with rumors like this:

#yankees surely will have thoughts of a-rod trade after disastrous october. but no talk yet. #marlins cbsprt.co/R51zJk

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) October 17, 2012

After the total collapse at the plate by Alex Rodriguez (and, frankly, most Yankee hitters), there was an almost gleeful expectation that the Yankees would start shopping their third baseman, a man who appeared to have fallen out of favor with the organization.  Hypothetical trades were proposed, giving suggestions on how much of A-Rod’s bloated contract the Yankees would eat just to get rid of the guy.  Rumors swirled that trade talks began between the Yankees and the Miami Marlins, but these were quickly denied by Yankees GM Brian Cashman.  In all of this, A-Rod’s full no-trade clause has been, if not ignored, then discussed as a mere foot-note.

After the Joe Mauer  Panic of August, this should do little for the Minnesota  Twins fan besides make you roll your eyes and vow to be choosier about who you follow on Twitter.  However, whether or not Twins fans are any savvier after this summer’s lesson, a logical argument is not enough to put the lid back on the proverbial Pandora’s Box.  In fact, the Mauer/Boston Red Sox rumor was revived just last week over at the Boston Globe.

The bottom line is that off-season baseball news will generally center around A-Rod.  Goody.  A-Rod has already stated that he intends to stay in New York.  But, that will not stop the beat writers, bloggers, tweeters, and talking heads from speculating away.  However, if a few of them can have a sense of humor about it, at least the off-season will be tolerable:

Brian Cashman just threw A-Rod a baseball which read “Write down which teams you’d waive your no trade clause for”

— Eric Stangel (@EricStangel) October 18, 2012

Zach Parise smiles while speaking to the media during a press conference. Image: Brace Hemmelgarn-US PRESSWIRE

Two years ago Twins catcher Joe Mauer was lauded for a similar gesture of loyalty to the great state of Minnesota when he signed an 8 year, $184 million contract. Had Mauer hit free agency, he likely would have received even more than that inexplicable $184 million number from one of the looming evil franchises known as the New York Yankees or Boston Red Sox.

Thunderous applause rang statewide in praise of Mauer’s loyalty. As Target Field then opened and it looked like the Twins were settling into an era of prosperity, Mauer, with his old school helmet under his catcher’s mask, handsome sideburns and calm demeanor, was the face of it all.

Joe Mauer was considered a figure who seemingly could do no wrong.

A devastating lack of success combined with an injury-riddled stretch for Mauer, and all of a sudden that big contract feels much heavier. It weighs on fans’ minds as they wonder if Mauer’s proneness to injury makes him overrated. Is that contract an anchor for a middle market franchise? It also weighs on Mauer, as he has recently felt the need to defend his work ethic against the complaints of his fan base. Outside of Minnesota, there was more eye rolling than celebrating when he was named an All-Star as a catcher. At home and nationally, a productive and consistent first half still does not feel like enough to justify that big hulking long term contract.

Do you see where this is going Zach? Even your hometown Minnesotans, with their supposed midwest hospitality and niceties, will be skeptical of you if you do not deliver significant returns in the victory column.

By the way, there is nothing wrong with that…nothing other than the painful realization for smaller fan bases that they are no different than the “jerks” in Philadelphia, New York, or Boston. In a big market, Yankees fans have somehow turned an all-time great player and future Hall of Famer in Alex Rodriguez into a polarizing figure who regularly gets booed at home. Entitled jerks, right? But then consider this: in a smaller market, Colorado Rockies fans are so upset that they are actually suggesting that the team trade franchise shortstop Troy Tulowitzki because he “chokes” and is injury prone. Finally, in his very first season as a member of the Los Angeles Angels, the best hitter in baseball the last decade, Albert Pujols, was viciously booed for his slow start. He had been a member of the team for less than two months at the time.

What do these “controversial” players have in common? Huge long term contracts. When it comes to big money these days, the romanticism of the new deal fades quickly and the cool cynicism of internet-informed 2012 fans who want to see their team win settles in for the long haul.

All of this brings us to a potentially awkward moment today when Parise throws the ceremonial first pitch to Mauer. The applause for Parise will be thunderous. It’s all good for him right now. One cannot help but wonder if Mauer, as he walks onto the field with him, will hear those familiar cheers and roll his eyes.

Enjoy that ovation today, Zach. Because after that you have 13 years of suffocating pressure to endure. Unless hockey fans in Minnesota are of a more patient and kind mold…

…Bazinga!