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Wes and I have an ongoing argument regarding Joe Mauer. As you may have seen in his signature there is a quote from me where I stated I would take Skipworth over Posey and Santana [because he's most likely to stick at catcher]. Wes has also advised me NEVER to debate catcher's with him again. So, let's post it to the group.
The question: Does Joe Mauer belong with the elite position players in Major League Baseball?
I say unequivocally, absolutely yes. Up there with Tulo, Pujols, and all the other elites. Let's start with the premise.
Joe Mauer is currently 27 years old. I have absolutely no idea what's going to happen going forward so that isn't part of the argument. Mauer has played in six full seasons. He has won three batting titles (as a Catcher) something no one else has ever done. He's been to four All-Star games, won four silver slugger awards, three Gold Gloves, not to mention an MVP. Joe Mauer is currently 27 years old.
I'm not sure how you can even argue that he isn't right there among the greats. But let's throw all those "Hall of Fame" markings right out the window. See, whenever I say this stuff to Wes, he says, "Well, he's no Tulo, or Braun, or Hanley..." Wes also likes to completely ignore what a Catcher does for a game, how many times he impacts the baseball on both sides, and pretty much defense in general.
Let's remember that Mauer does all that while handling a pitching staff that generated two Cy Young awards and a bunch of 200 K seasons (not to mention he's led them to the playoffs every season). So, let's hear it. Does Mauer belong among the top talents in the game. Thoughts.....
I still say if I was starting a team today, I would take Mauer over any position player in the league, and that includes Pujols. But that's just me....
The question: Does Joe Mauer belong with the elite position players in Major League Baseball?
I say unequivocally, absolutely yes. Up there with Tulo, Pujols, and all the other elites. Let's start with the premise.
Joe Mauer is currently 27 years old. I have absolutely no idea what's going to happen going forward so that isn't part of the argument. Mauer has played in six full seasons. He has won three batting titles (as a Catcher) something no one else has ever done. He's been to four All-Star games, won four silver slugger awards, three Gold Gloves, not to mention an MVP. Joe Mauer is currently 27 years old.
I'm not sure how you can even argue that he isn't right there among the greats. But let's throw all those "Hall of Fame" markings right out the window. See, whenever I say this stuff to Wes, he says, "Well, he's no Tulo, or Braun, or Hanley..." Wes also likes to completely ignore what a Catcher does for a game, how many times he impacts the baseball on both sides, and pretty much defense in general.
Let's remember that Mauer does all that while handling a pitching staff that generated two Cy Young awards and a bunch of 200 K seasons (not to mention he's led them to the playoffs every season). So, let's hear it. Does Mauer belong among the top talents in the game. Thoughts.....
I still say if I was starting a team today, I would take Mauer over any position player in the league, and that includes Pujols. But that's just me....