Angelea's Blog

The Star Tribune http://www.startribune.com/509/story/995546.html reported that the Twins signed catcher, Joe Mauer to a four-year, $33 million contract extension on Saturday to avoid arbitration. Last year Mauer became the first catcher to win an American League batting title, batting .347. This is the second biggest guaranteed contract in franchise history, Mauer also gets the chance to hit the free agent market at age 27 in 2010.

According to the Associated Press in the Pioneer Press http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/sports/baseball/16677073.htm, Mauer was the first pick in the 2001 amateur draft and was the first catcher to lead the majors in batting average and the first AL catcher to win the batting title. The Pioneer Press also reported that Mauer's rookie season in 2004 was cut short due to a knee injury which raised questions about whether or not his body could handle all the physical demands of his position.