Yankees fans already have Joe Mauer fitted for a 2011 World Series ring.

I thought it was Red Sox fans? Or are Red Sox fans holding out for Pujols instead? And speaking of the Twins, from rotoworld

Joe Nathan has been diagnosed with a torn ulnar collateral ligament.

Nathan will wait two weeks for some of the swelling in his elbow to subside, then he will try to throw a baseball. If it does not go well, the Twins closer will have to decide whether to undergo Tommy John surgery. He should be counted out for the 2010 season at this point. Jon Rauch, who has closing experience and was added to the Twins' bullpen in August, might be asked to take over ninth-inning duties if Nathan decides to have surgery. Matt Guerrier was excellent last season and could also handle the role.
Source: Joe Christensen on Twitter

Saying that it's a sure thing that Mauer ends up in Minnesota is as dumb as saying it's a sure thing that he ends up in Boston or New York.

The difference between Boras and Shapiro is that Boras always has his clients go to free agency. Even if they stay where they are, they'll (almost always) get more money as free agents, so that's how he operates.

Shapiro probably doesn't have that mentality. But that doesn't mean he's the opposite -- that his clients will eschew free agency because, by golly, they want to stay where they are. He'll try to get a good deal for Mauer. He'll try to keep him in Minnesota. But if the Twins are unwilling or unable to come up with a contract that Mauer thinks is good enough, he'll be a free agent. And then if money is the deciding factor, he'll sign with the team that offers him the most money.

It doesn't make Shapiro evil, it doesn't make Mauer evil. Hell, it doesn't make the Twins evil. It's a business, and you balance your preference for where you play with your preference for how much money you earn. We all do that to a degree when we have the choice available to us, it's just that when it's this much money, people think they have a right (and that they are right) to say that the money is so much no matter what they decide, that if they let it be a factor at all, they're evil and greedy.

Nov 1, 2010 (emphasis not added)

"Ron Shapiro? This is Brian Cashman."

"Hello, Mr. Cashman, how nice to talk to you."

"And it's lovely to talk to you as well Mr. Shapiro. I understand that you represent a certain Mr. Mauer who I believe is currently looking for employment as a professional baseball player."

"Yes I do, and what a nice young man he is."

"I have heard that as well and am glad to have it confirmed by an honest gentleman such as yourself. As you may know, I represent the New York American League Base Ball Club and we would like to offer Mr. Mauer a development opportunity with our organization."

"That would be very nice. Mr. Mauer very much enjoys playing the game of baseball. However I hear that people in New York are not always so nice."

"My dear friend, nothing could be further from the truth! Why only this morning, one of our enterprising young local fellows offered to wash the windshield of my car while I was stopped at a traffic light. Frankly sir, if we lived in more civilized times, I would challenge you to a duel for besmirching the reputation of my great city."

"My fair companion, I do humbly apologize for questioning the reputation of your fine city and its kind citizens. It brings great comfort to have an honest man such as yourself dispel my mistaken impressions of our great nation's finest metropolis."

"Well, I am happy that we have cleared up that misunderstanding. As I mentioned, we would like to offer Mr. Mauer the opportunity to don the legendary pinstripes for the next four years in exchange for a remuneration of eighty million US dollars."

"Would that be per annum?"

"Well, no, that would be eighty million US dollars for the four years or a very nice average of twenty million US dollars per annum."

"Mr. Cashman, I must say that is not a very nice offer. I will inform you that a quite charming Mr. Epstein of the Boston American League Base Ball Club -- perhaps you know him -- has offered this nice young man a contract for seven years at an average remuneration of twenty-two million US dollars per annum."

"Well, isn't that lovely? I probably shouldn't tell you this but you're such a nice and honest man ... the Messrs. Steinbrenner have authorized me to offer your client a contract covering eight seasons at an average remuneration of twenty-four million US dollars per annum with the option, should it please both parties, of an additional two seasons at an average remuneration of twenty-five million US dollars with a payment of eight million US dollars if the two parties can not come to said agreement."

"Why Mr. Cashman, I must say that is very nice indeed! I shall take this offer to my client and return with his decision forthwith!"

"It has been lovely talking with you sir! I eagerly await your reply."

Ok, that was pretty good.....

I wonder what the difference in contracts would be if Mauer had simply put up a 2009 in line with his career rates, rather than having what may turn out to be by far his best year: 6/100 versus 8/200?