11/08/2004 9:00 AM ET
Twins mailbag: Mauer's progress
Beat writer Mark Sheldon answers fans' questions
By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com

They say last week's presidential election came down to "Ohio, Ohio,
Ohio." For many Twins fans, thoughts this winter are centered
on "Mauer, Mauer, Mauer." Let's take a look at this week's
installment of the mailbag.
What is Joe Mauer's status? Are there any indications of lingering
effects from his injury, or is the team just playing it safe? --
Zach B., Jesup, Iowa

What is the story with Joe Mauer? The last we heard about him, his
knee was still giving him problems. Will he be 100 percent for
Spring Training, or is that a far-fetched dream? Laurie, St. Paul,
Minn.

After many years of bopping out of foxholes for the U.S. Army, I
know how tough good knees can be. Would the realm of Mauer -- strong
arm and all -- move to third base and be plausible? -- Mark L.,
Farmington, Minn.

These were just some of the questions received thus far regarding
the former overall No. 1 draft pick and St. Paul native. The most
recent word I received from Twins general manager Terry Ryan is that
Mauer was making progress with the rehabilitation of his surgically
repaired left knee and should be on track to be 100 percent behind
the plate again at Spring Training. He felt some pain in the crouch
last month during Instructional League games, but after seeing his
doctor, learned another surgery wasn't needed. Right now, the 21-
year-old is continuing his offseason workouts in the Twin Cities
area.

Having been limited by injury to 35 games and 107 at-bats this year,
will Joe Mauer still be eligible for Rookie of the Year
consideration next year? -- Sam D. St. Peter, Minn.

Mauer will not be a rookie in 2005. According to the rules, "a
player is considered a rookie unless, during a previous season, he
had exceeded 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched in the Major Leagues;
or accumulated more than 45 days on the active roster of a Major
League club or clubs during the period of the 25-man limit
(excluding time in military service and time on the disabled list).

According to my calculations, Mauer spent 46 days on the active
roster (April 6-7, June 3-July 18). So he missed the rookie cut-off
by exactly one day.

What do you think are the chances of the Twins re-signing Terry
Mulholland? Terry was a breath of fresh air for the Twins this past
season and I think it's imperative that he is re-signed. I'm aware
that Terry would be used out of the bullpen this year, but his
veteran leadership is something the Twins can continue to benefit
from. -- Josh P., Faribault, Minn.

Ryan said last week the club "has interest" in re-signing
Mulholland, who is a free agent. Even though he will be 42 years old
in 2005, there are several things that have me thinking he would be
brought back. He's left-handed and won't cost too much to retain.
When his pitches are effective, he proved a difficult foe for
hitters (like his eight-inning start at Cleveland in August). He
eats innings and is always willing to take the ball in any role,
whether it's a start, long relief or something situational. And,
he's another positive presence in the clubhouse.

What should the next developments and milestones be in Johan
Santana's career? I'm thinking it's keeping ahead of the batting
opposition, developing pitches, staying healthy, the next stats on
the radar and not dollars or seeking the Yankees-esque pay. I guess
he is taking one wise step now, having a rest this offseason to keep
himself healthy. -- David H., United Kingdom.

When you get 20 wins, the next milestone is simply to try and do it
again. You are right -- he is using the winter to give his arm a
break at home in Venezuela and won't participate in the winter
leagues. When Santana arrives at Spring Training, he won't be
working his way back from elbow surgery like he was this year -- it
slowed him down in the early months of the season. That should make
everyone optimistic for his numbers to get even better with a
completely healthy 2005 season. (Perhaps 25 wins and 300
strikeouts?) But the left-hander will tell you the milestone he's
most concerned about is for his team to reach the World Series, and
not his own personal achievement. Hopefully, he already knows the
dollars will come if he keeps doing what he's been doing since
joining the rotation in mid-2003.

Speaking of Santana, I need to correct a mistake from an earlier
mailbag. The AL Cy Young Award winner will be announced Thursday,
Nov. 11. I was originally given information that it would be Nov. 9,
which was incorrect. My apologies.

I just read that Eddie Guardado's option wasn't picked up in
Seattle. What are the chances that he'll return to the Twins? I know
that he regretted signing elsewhere and would love to come back.
Even if he weren't the closer, he would be a valuable asset to the
bullpen. Any comments? -- Keri D., Forest Lake, Minn.

You can douse out that coal from the hot stove -- Guardado is
staying in Seattle. Although the Mariners turned down their $6
million 2005 club option on the former Twins closer, Guardado
exercised his $4 million player option Tuesday and avoided being a
free agent.

My family and I often wonder what's happened to former Twins. For
example, is Chuck Knoblauch completely out of baseball now? And, is
Paul Molitor still with Seattle -- or was he fired along with the
manager? Elise Marquam-Jahns, Minnetonka, Minn.

Since playing 80 games in the outfield for the Royals in 2002,
Knoblauch has been out of baseball. Molitor, a 2004 Hall of Fame
inductee, and all of former manager Bob Melvin's coaches were given
permission to seek jobs with other clubs. He and the others were
told they would be considered for positions on new manager Mike
Hargrove's staff.

I remember Kirby Puckett's salary being paid by insurance after he
had to quit playing. Was Eric Milton's salary this year covered by
the same kind of insurance? If so, did it count against the team's
salary limitations? -- Patty H., Crystal, Minn.

No, the Twins didn't have to pay Milton in 2004 because he and his
$9 million salary were traded to the Phillies for Carlos Silva and
Nick Punto.

Mark Sheldon is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject
to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.