Could Joe Mauer Be a Met Sooner Than People Think?

Joe Mauer as a New York Met. Think about it for a second.

The Mets are in need of catching help, and the Twins think that there is a possibility they will not be able to resign him when he becomes a free agent after this 2010 season. 

Mauer, the reigning MVP winner in the American League, as a catcher, will be commanding big bucks. The Twins do not have that type of money lying around, as apposed to some of the larger market teams.

What teams could be in the mix for Mauer?

Phillies: Not with the addition of Halladay and raises due to many of their core players. They are also interested in resigning Jayson Werth once his contract runs up after this season.

Yankees: You hear their name associated with every player. They seem like a possible candidate for Mauer. How long will Posada hold up? Will their top prospect Miguel Montero be able to translate his skills into the MLB? 

Red Sox: Similar to the Yankees, you hear their name with the big time players. They have Victor Martinez, who is a free agent after this season. Just like Mauer. They are a very possible destination

Dodgers/Cubs: They both have relatively young catchers who posses skill. Count them out.

Then there is the Mets: They are going heavily after former San Francisco Giant Bengie Molina. Molina is a catcher with some pop (20 Home Runs last year), but he is aging. Do the mets want to put out $6 million or possibly more on a sub par catcher like Molina? 

There have been rumblings about Mauer and the Mets. The Twins have done a very good job at keeping those rumblings quite, too.

If one looks at it, it would be a fit. Of course, a contract extension would have to be part of this deal, and a large one at that. 

My prediction: Joe Mauer will be a New York Met.