Joe Mauer moved to first base

[gunnarthor]

Twins announced today that Mauer will no longer be catching, citing concerns from his concussion last year. Mauer caught for his first ten years and put up pretty good numbers - .323/.405/.468 136 OPS+ and 44.3 WAR. While the move to first might slow his WAR marks, he should play in more games so he could still be a 5 WAR guy for a few years. And, ideally for the Twins, staying at first will keep him fresh later in the year.

It'll be interesting to see how this might affect his HOF chances. Even ignoring the position, Mauer's been a pretty elite bat for his career. He's first among active players in avg and 3rd in OBP. His OPS+ is higher than most "sluggers" but he doesn't hit a lot home runs - ignoring his 28 HR year, he avgs about 9 a year.

Joe Torre was also moved off of catcher after 10 years, Mauer was a slightly better player (136 OPS+ 44.8 WAR against 130 OPS+ 41.8 WAR for Torre) but not a lot better.

 

[navamind]

It's the right move. His bat is great for any position. People love to bring up his lack of power, but he has a 136 OPS+. In comparison, Konerko has a career OPS+ of 119. OPS+ for 1B last year was 116. And his OPS would have ranked 6th among 1B this year. .404 OBP would be 2nd, and .476 SLG% would be 10th.

 

[DragonfromTO]

Any chance that he will play anywhere else in a pinch? OF maybe?

He's my catcher in sim league, I have Brandon Belt at 1B and I'm in the NL so no DH. I'll need one of them to get eligibility at another position otherwise someone is going to get traded. I'm not that concerned about catchers since I have Hedges but still, bad situation for me.

 

[Cobiemonster]

This is the right move - his bat is the most important thing

 

[mr.hockey4242]

I think his power may increase a little with the move as well.

We will see him take some bigger swings as his body is in better condition.

 

[Howie115]

Definitely the right move to prolong his career. Not good HR numbers for a corner infielder, but he's a productive hitter, nonetheless.

 

[The Derski]

Why not just straight to DH

 

[mr.hockey4242]

Why not just straight to DH

Chris colabello and Chris parmelee say hello.

I'd prefer to not see those two hacks playing 1B.

By 2015 when Sano and Buxton are ready we have Buxton in center, hicks in left and Rosario can move back to his natural right field since Dozier has emerged at second.

Arcia then Dh's a lot because he simply sucks in the field but could be a legit 25-30 homer man for years.

 

[DragonfromTO]

Chris colabello and Chris parmelee say hello.

I'd prefer to not see those two hacks playing 1B.

By 2015 when Sano and Buxton are ready we have Buxton in center, hicks in left and Rosario can move back to his natural right field since Dozier has emerged at second.

Arcia then Dh's a lot because he simply sucks in the field but could be a legit 25-30 homer man for years.

I would think you'd prefer to not see them playing at all...

 

[mr.hockey4242]

I would think you'd prefer to not see them playing at all...

Lol that's what I meant. Joe being at 1st makes that much more realistic because now Willingham/doumit will fill the DH role.

If Mauer isn't at 1st....someone's gotta do it.

 

[ChicagoIrish]

Good move.

Far overdue if you ask me.

 

[broncosmitty]

This move was inevitable. I'd honestly hoped to see Justin Morneau back in Minny though. But seems like as good a time as any for Mauer to make the switch. Is Ryan Doumit still the backup catcher/DH/extra right fielder?

 

[da55bums]

They set this move up last year when catcher Josmil Pinto gave them a great opening for his career....Pinto will be a solid hitting catcher and really could hit just as well as Morneau or even better at a cheaper price tag.

 

[mr.hockey4242]

This move was inevitable. I'd honestly hoped to see Justin Morneau back in Minny though. But seems like as good a time as any for Mauer to make the switch. Is Ryan Doumit still the backup catcher/DH/extra right fielder?

Regarding Doumit....absolutely.

DH should be his everyday spot. But he will spell at catcher and RF since Pinto and willingham/Arica are all not world beaters in the field.

I fear knowing egghead gardy he will tinker instead of being consistent and give Hermann way more Abs than he deserves as a backup catcher/RF as well.