The Minnesota Twins announced Monday that catcher Joe Mauer will be moving up the line and will become the team's permanent first baseman in 2014 after he suffered a concussion that sidelined him for 39 games last season.
Mauer, a six-time All-Star and former American League Most Valuable Player, was hit with a foul ball off of his mask on Aug. 19 and he missed 39 games due to the injury. Mauer won his fifth Silver Slugger award in 2013 after he hit .324 with 11 homers and 47 RBIs in 113 games. His .476 slugging percentage was his highest since his MVP season in 2009 where he hit .365 with 28 homers and 96 RBIs and had a slugging percentage of .587.
According to ESPN, the Twins said they consulted with Mayo Clinic doctors and team physicians before meeting with Mauer and agreeing that the move to first would be better for his long-term health. ESPN reports that the Twins didn't want to risk further damage to Mauer's health and that due to the many dangers behind the plate it was easier to just move him to first base.
Mauer is now reportedly symptom-free after sustaining the concussion and is currently doing offseason workouts as he prepares for 2014 with the Twins.
Mauer is a three-time Gold Glove award winner and was drafted by the Twins with the No.1 overall pick in 2001. With Justin Morneau having been traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates late last season, there is an opening at first base for Mauer to take over. With Mauer moving to first, ESPN reports that Josmil Pinto is a candidate to fill the void behind the plate.
Mauer, the face of the Twins franchise and a three-time AL batting champion, is under team control for the next five years and will make $23 million per season for the next five years. Mauer topped AL catchers by throwing out 43% of basestealers in 2013. Mauer was hopeful to return behind the dish in 2014 initially, but it would seem that after consulting doctors and his team, it was in his best interest to switch positions.
"I have every intention of coming back and catching. That's what I do," Mauer said after being shut down late last season, according to ESPN. "But right now I have to take care of the situation so I can. I look forward to getting back out on the field next year as a catcher and whatever else they need me to do."
The Twins hope to improve in 2014 after going just 66-96 in 2013 and missing the playoffs for the third straight year. With a healthy Mauer switching positions, Minnesota will hope to enjoy its first winning season since 2010.
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