Joe Mauer

He is, without much argument, the most popular face in the state of Minnesota. He was born and raised in the same atmosphere where he recently broke out as a sporting icon and ripened as the greatest catcher in the majors.

Dating back to his childhood, Joe Mauer was covetous, immersing and engaging in a sport that he idolized, growing up as a Twins fan.

There’s no question that Joe Mauer’s contract extension is good for Major League Baseball.

Rumors had been swirling for months that Mauer, the unquestioned best catcher in the game, would command more money than the Minnesota Twins could afford, and would inevitably be playing his home games in Fenway Park or Yankee Stadium by 2011.

Eight years and $184 million can do a lot of things, but prying inexpensive, top-tier closing talent away from a small-market club is a gargantuan task, regardless of the resources available.

Yet if the Minnesota Twins have any designs on persuading the San Diego Padres to part with their All-Star closer, Heath Bell, they took the first and most important step on Sunday.

That is when they agreed to a mega-deal with catcher Joe Mauer, extending him through the 2018 season and solidifying their catcher situation for the majority of the new decade. 

Did anyone in the surrounding areas of the upper midwest feel a strong breeze come upon them on Sunday afternoon? That was the collective sigh of an entire fan base. 

The Minnesota Twins signed their catcher, and 2009 League MVP Joe Mauer to an 8 year $184 million contract extension. 

The significance of this deal cannot be summed up in few words. 

There are actually so many different angles you can take on the exact importance of what this deal means to the player, the franchise, and the fan base. 

Minnesota Twins fans can now breathe a collective sigh of relief.

The biggest drama of the offseason—Joe Mauer’s contract status (or lack thereof)—has finally come to an end.

After learning their star closer is out for the remainder of the 2010 season and likely some of the 2011 campaign, the Twins have signed 2009 MVP catcher Joe Mauer to an eight-year; $140 million contract extension good for $17.5 million a season.

Mauer, who could have been a free agent next season, seemingly took a hometown deal to remain in his native Minnesota. Reports said Mauer could have garnered as much as $200 million if he tested the free agent waters.

The Minnesota Twins announce that Joe Mauer has signed an eight-year, $184 million contract. The deal includes a full no-trade clause.

The deal will be made official at a 7:00 pm EST press conference in the Twins’ Conference Center.

Via ESPN.com chat:

What I’m Reading

• Just imagine a Mauer-less Twinky-Town. Through means of a trade, no less. My head hurts already.

• So Jose Reyes’ thyroid is due to keep him out anywhere from two weeks to two months. Great diagnosis, Doc.