Breaking down Mauer's 2010 season

Joe Mauer admits he tried to hit home runs at new Target Field the first half of last season, then after the All-Star break changed his approach to hitting line drives and finding holes. Here are the results:

First half:290 AB, 24 2B,1 3B, 4HR, 35RBI, .293avg., .369OBP, .424 slugging

Second half:220AB, 192B, 0 3B, 5HR, 40 RBI,.373avg., .447 OBP, .527 slugging

Mauer signed his eight-year, $184 million contract after a 2009 season that included career highs in home runs and RBI. Then came Target Field, the toughest park in the majors to hit homers. Here are Mauer's past two seasons:

2009at the Metrodome:28 HR,96 RBI,.365avg., .444OBP, .587 slugging

2010at Target Field:9 HR,75RBI, .327 avg., .402 OBP,.469 slugging

The top five salaries for 2011 (annual average), with 2010 stats:

Plus factor: 613 HRs at the age of 35 -- look out, Barry Bonds.

Ryan Howard, Phil.:$25M,31 HR,108RBI, .276/.353/.505

Plus factor: Four straight years of at least 45 HRs before last season.

Joe Mauer, Twins: $23M, 9HR, 75 RBI,.327/.402/.469

Plus factor: A catcher with three batting titles and three Gold Gloves.

Plus factor: Gold Glove first baseman has twice played all 162 games.

Carl Crawford, Bos.:$20.3M,19 HR,90RBI, .307/.356/.495