Mauer wins first Gold Glove

Marlin Levison, Star Tribune

Twins catcher Joe Mauer, tagging out Cleveland’s Asdrubal Cabrera earlier this season, committed only three errors in 139 games behind the plate this year, posting a fielding percentage of .997.

Joe Mauer joined Earl Battey as Twins catchers to win a Gold Glove.

By JOE CHRISTENSEN, Star Tribune

Last update: November 7, 2008 - 10:48 AM

Joe Mauer won his second American League batting title this season, but Thursday he received an honor that meant even more to him.

Mauer, 25, won his first Rawlings Gold Glove Award, becoming the first Twins catcher to receive the honor since Earl Battey in 1962.

Each September, managers and coaches vote on their league's top defensive player at each position.

Besides batting .328, Mauer posted a .997 fielding percentage, with three errors and four passed balls in 139 games behind the plate. He threw out 26 percent (18-for-69) of the opposing runners trying to steal, while helping guide a young pitching staff through an 88-75 season.

"When I first got to the big leagues, I think people knew I was going to be a pretty good hitter," Mauer said. "But I take a lot of pride in my defense. I still have a lot more to learn, but it's definitely a good feeling to get recognized for the hard work I've put in so far."

Mauer, who is signed through 2010, received a $25,0000 bonus for winning the Gold Glove.

The Twins now have had at least one Gold Glove winner in each of the past eight seasons.

Last year, Torii Hunter and Johan Santana each won in their final season as Twins, while Ivan Rodriguez took home the AL's catching honor for the 13th time.

Hunter won his eighth Gold Glove this year, after an error-free season for the Angels.

Tampa Bay's Carlos Pena won the Gold Glove at first base, though Mauer said teammate Justin Morneau "is definitely deserving with how he's improved defensively."

Lose Reyes, gain a pick

Reliever Dennys Reyes qualified as a Type B free agent in the recently released Elias rankings, meaning the Twins would receive a supplemental draft pick if they offer him arbitration and he leaves via free agency.

The Twins' other three pending free agents -- Nick Punto, Adam Everett and Eddie Guardado -- did not qualify as Type A's or B's.

Hunter was a Type A free agent last year, so the Twins received the Angels' first-round pick (No. 27 overall) and a supplemental pick (No. 31 overall) as compensation for losing him.

The Twins used those selections to take Miami (Fla.) pitcher Carlos Gutierrez (No. 27) and Tulane pitcher Shooter Hunt (No. 31) in the June amateur draft after using their own pick (No. 14) to take Aaron Hicks, a high school center fielder from Long Beach, Calif.

GM meetings review

The Twins were quiet on potential player moves -- trades or free agent signings -- at this week's GM meetings in Dana Point, Calif.

GM Bill Smith returned Thursday saying it was still a productive session.

"It was a good chance for our baseball group to sit down and talk about some of the options," he said, "and we're continuing to move forward."