BREAKING: Twins Joe Mauer to Move to First Base
Mauer’s position change comes after doctor consultations.
Mauer will no longer need these tools. (Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports)
See the image above? Joe Mauer will no longer be donning the “tools of ignorance”.
This might not be the resounding news you expect from the GM meetings, but it is big news…
BREAKING: Joe Mauer to transition to first base in 2014. pic.twitter.com/oxasig95K4
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) November 11, 2013
MLB.com reports that Joe Mauer will move from behind the plate to first base. The article notes that after consulting with doctors from the Mayo Clinic and team doctors, the move is to be made based on “the inherent risks of future injury at the catcher position”.
Mauer suffered a concussion on August 19 and was placed on the seven-day concussion disabled list the following day. He is currently working out and is symptom-free, and the workouts are with no restrictions. The move is obviously made for the benefit of both Mauer and the Twins. Keeping Mauer’s bat in the lineup and maintaining his health are high priority.
With the move, it would appear that Josmil Pinto could be behind the plate for the Twins come Opening Day 2014. In only 76 plate appearances, Pinto produced a triple slash of .342/.398/.566 with 4 HR and 12 RBI. He also posted a CS% of 45% (5-for-11).
You could also logically assume that the Twins could make a trade or even delve into the free agent market to find Mauer’s catching replacement.
UPDATE: 2:23 PM ET Twins GM Terry Ryan and Mauer held a presser. Some quotes and insights from Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com…
Joe Mauer: "This is one of the tougher decisions I've had to make and also one of the easiest."
— Rhett Bollinger (@RhettBollinger) November 11, 2013
Terry Ryan: "It got to the point where Joe wasn't behind the plate enough."
— Rhett Bollinger (@RhettBollinger) November 11, 2013
Terry Ryan says catching job is open at the moment. Says Pinto still has work to do.
— Rhett Bollinger (@RhettBollinger) November 11, 2013
Mauer "I think I'll be in the lineup more, that's for sure. You're not squatting behind the plate and taking foul tips."
— Rhett Bollinger (@RhettBollinger) November 11, 2013