Joe Mauer & A-Rod: Speculate all you want, they aren’t going anywhere

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:

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: