Joe The Catcher: Can He Make A Yankee Hat More Famous Than Jay-Z Can?

"Joe Mauer is considered by many experts to be the best catcher in baseball"

Could he be a Yankee?

According to Fangraphs.com, if Joe Mauer were a free agent today, he would be worth $36.8 million.  A contract that expensive would make him the highest paid player in baseball, by nearly $10 mil.

While I doubt he will bring in anything more than $30 mil, he is a free agent next year, 2011, and a new contract for him could be worth between $20-30 million.

There is only one team in the world that can afford a contract that big.

The New York Yankees.

Reportedly, the Yankees will "have a substantial amount of money [on the payroll] for the 2011 season" says Twins GM Bill Smith.  Smith has yet to say the 'substantial' translates to 'yes, we have money to sign Mauer.'

Undoubtedly, the Twins want to bring Mauer back.  Who doesn't want Joe?

Here are the problems:

• Mauer wants the money.  The Twins have very little moolah.
• The East Coast would bring him more endorsement opportunities, more publicity, ect.
• Yankee Stadium is a big-time hitters park.  So is Fenway.

Right now, leaving Minnesota looks really good for Mauer.

And coming to New York looks even better.

The Yanks have the money for the job:  They have been saving up for the 2011 free agency for a while.  They can get the job done.

Imagine that 1-4:  Jeter, Mauer, Tex, A-rod.

Wow.

Joe the Plumber may be out of a job, but Joe the Catcher's future looks bright.