How bout those Twins?? ammmi right?

[aces1180]

Seriously? Mauer is sitting out a second game in a row? I'm so glad he is worth that $23 million a year to ride the pine.

http://www.startribune.com/sports/blogs/119867464.html

[mango]

Seriously? Mauer is sitting out a second game in a row? I'm so glad he is worth that $23 million a year to ride the pine.

http://www.startribune.com/sports/blogs/119867464.html

WTF??

I understand giving him the day off when if they play in the afternoon after a night game, but there is no reason for him to be out two days in a row. If you don't have him behind the plate, DH him. I'm fine with that.

[CAS4127]

WTF??

I understand giving him the day off when if they play in the afternoon after a night game, but there is no reason for him to be out two days in a row. If you don't have him behind the plate, DH him. I'm fine with that.

I guessing teh Twins ain't telling us everything about how that knee surgery actually went and how the knee is actually feeling. Or, maybe Gardy is benching him just to light a fire under his bubble butt!

[bisonaudit]

The whole play Mauer or not thing is really a win/win for you guys.

When he's in the lineup and doesn't have a 5 RBI night you can rip him and when he's not in the lineup you can rip Gardy.

I just don't get the Mauer centric haters. If I was going to hate on something I'd go with the terrible defense they've been playing and the persistent lack of infield depth.

[aces1180]

The whole play Mauer or not thing is really a win/win for you guys.

When he's in the lineup and doesn't have a 5 RBI night you can rip him and when he's not in the lineup you can rip Gardy.

I just don't get the Mauer centric haters. If I was going to hate on something I'd go with the terrible defense they've been playing and the persistent lack of infield depth.

I don't hate Mauer...I just don't know why he is not in the lineup for two days in a row, unless they are hiding an injury or something.

Update - Gardy says he is 'sore.'

http://www.startribune.com/sports/tw...119871624.html

Sounds like a case of vaginosis to me...

[bisonaudit]

I don't hate Mauer...I just don't know why he is not in the lineup for two days in a row, unless they are hiding an injury or something.

Update - Gardy says he is 'sore.'

http://www.startribune.com/sports/tw...119871624.html

Sounds like a case of vaginosis to me...

I'm not sure how not hating Mauer and accusing him of having vaginosis go together.

I'm also not sure how a diagnosis of vaginosis, which I don't doubt for a second that you're qualified to issue, squares with the fact that Mauer has more plate appearance over the last three seasons than any Catcher in baseball.

It could be that Gardy isn't saying anything because the last time he spoke out of turn about Mauer's health, Joe publicly expressed his displeasure.

[runtheoption]

I think they need to immediately consider Mauer for 3rd base, left or right field. He is a great defensive catcher, but if the catching is so hard on his knee that it takes him out of the lineup once or twice a week, then it is time for a change. Gardy wants him to catch, Mauer wants to catch, the pitchers probably all want him to catch, but I think the organization as a whole and the fan base demand that Mauer be an everyday player. If he has bad knee, he is not ever going to drive through the ball the way we have seen in the past. The opposite field power will never return.

He could take over 3rd with the way Valencia's offense is lately, but that takes out a right handed bat from the lineup. He could play left field and force Young and Kubel to platoon in right field. It takes time to learn these new positions, but I think a move is needed.

[bisonaudit]

I think they need to immediately consider Mauer for 3rd base, left or right field. He is a great defensive catcher, but if the catching is so hard on his knee that it takes him out of the lineup once or twice a week, then it is time for a change. Gardy wants him to catch, Mauer wants to catch, the pitchers probably all want him to catch, but I think the organization as a whole and the fan base demand that Mauer be an everyday player. If he has bad knee, he is not ever going to drive through the ball the way we have seen in the past. The opposite field power will never return.

He could take over 3rd with the way Valencia's offense is lately, but that takes out a right handed bat from the lineup. He could play left field and force Young and Kubel to platoon in right field. It takes time to learn these new positions, but I think a move is needed.

They don't have another viable option at catcher, and a lot of his value is caught up in the fact that he is a catcher, because almost no one is capable of playing that position defensively, let alone at the level he does, while providing the offense that he can. The knee is a concern long-term but I don't see any evidence that its a career shortening skill imparing injury like Tony O back in the day. Abscent some additional evidence it's way way to early to move him out from behind the plate.

[aces1180]

I'm not sure how not hating Mauer and accusing him of having vaginosis go together.

I'm also not sure how a diagnosis of vaginosis, which I don't doubt for a second that you're qualified to issue, squares with the fact that Mauer has more plate appearance over the last three seasons than any Catcher in baseball.

It could be the Gardy isn't saying anything because the last time he spoke out of school about Mauer's health, Joe publicly expressed his displeasure.

Sorry, but you don't see the other players making over $20 million a year sitting out due to "soreness."

Like I said, I like Mauer...I just don't think he is earning his money right now.

[bisonaudit]

Sorry, but you don't see the other players making over $20 million a year sitting out due to "soreness."

Like I said, I like Mauer...I just don't think he is earning his money right now.

Think what you want but I'll never understand it. And don't pretend it's about the money. This garbage was going on before he was making $23 million a year and it continues to go on now.

The simple fact is there's no evidence that Joe begs out of games. There's no evidence that Gardy plays him less than he should. And there's no evidence that he's fragile.

I don't understand what some people want from Joe Mauer. Every summer it's like I'm watching "The Life of Brian" recast with even less appropriate accents.