Congratulations Minnesota. 

At a time when it seems every elite talent in Major League Baseball ends up on a big market club, Joe Mauer bucked the trend on Sunday when it was announced that he has agreed to an eight-year 184 million dollar contract extension with the Twins.

Mauer, a St. Paul native, was selected first overall by his hometown Twins in 2001 amateur draft.  He has three AL batting titles and one MVP to his credit, and is widely considered one of the best defensive catchers in the game.

The deal is worth 23 million dollar per season and includes a no-trade clause, meaning Mauer will most likely stay in a Twins uniform until 2018 when he will be 35-years old.

Congratulations Minnesota, it looks like Joe Mauer will be wearing a Twins cap in his Hall of Fame bust.