Each MLB team’s current Hall of Famer

Minnesota Twins: Joe Mauer

Joseph Patrick Mauer was a superstar athlete in Minnesota, leading his team to victory on the football field and on the diamond, and a top prospect at a national level in both sports as well when the Twins took the hometown boy with the top overall selection in the 2001 draft.

Mauer made it to the majors in 2004, forcing a trade of AJ Pierzynski (a trade that turned into one of the biggest steals in recent trade history), and became one of the most accomplished hitting catchers in the history of the game before concussions caused a premature exit from behind the plate.

You would think that would lead a guy to be an absolute hero in his home state, right?!

On the contrary, Mauer has seemingly become a lightning rod in Minnesota, his large contract reason that fans feel they can heap any criticism they’d like upon him, nevermind that his concussions were something that have been a significant issue in the NFL and in baseball have completely ended multiple careers.

After struggling to see the ball the way he always had, Mauer found his stroke again in 2017, hitting .305/.384/.417 with 36 doubles and 71 RBI from the #2 spot in the order typically. He’s also turned himself into an elite defensive first baseman.

Mauer’s contract is up after this season, and the Twins will need to make some tough decisions with some prospects getting close to the majors, slugger Miguel Sano struggling to keep himself in the shape to stay at third base, and young players needing to be paid, but bringing back Mauer as a veteran leader on the team for a 2- to 3-year deal for $15-20 million would make a lot of sense.

Mauer already has eclipsed the numbers on the JAWS system as a catcher, which is where much of the elite production of his career came from. He should be a lock for MLB Hall of Fame induction already, just adding to his case at this point.

Next: White Sox