Signings pinings

Signings pinings...

Joe Mauer... Justin Morneau... Michael Cuddyer... Johan Santana... Joe Nathan... and even Torii Hunter. They all have several things in common – they're great players. They will be potentially EXPEN$IVE to sign to long-term contracts... They all (supposedly) want to stay in Minnesota... They have all played with a lot of heart here.

The big question is, can Minnesota afford to keep them all? Probably not. But who can we afford to lose? An MVP? A batting champ? A Cy Young winner? One of the best center fielders (and former Gold Glove winner) in the game? One of the best closers in the game? Or how about one of the most productive No. 4 hitters in a Twins uniforms since the likes of Herby, Kirby and Gaetti?

I look for the Twins to sign Mauer and Cuddyer to long-term deals this spring, and (I hope) the other four this summer or fall. Who will get left out? Maybe Hunter. If he's smart he would go to the Twins and ask for a low-ball extension (like 6M a year for four years), with lots of incentives, and hope the team will bite. He's a great player, but too often injured, and it's hard to justify spending millions more on a part-time player.

I think Cuddyer could also be signed to a relatively low-priced deal, in the neighborhood of $5-7 million per year.

Mauer was mentioned first, in part because the Twins HAVE to sign him. He's the hometown boy made good; and he's the face of the organization to come.

Morneau, Santana, and Nathan also deserve their chances to have lt contracts. It just remains to be seen who the Twins can afford.