DIFFERENT STROKES
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
THE BALLPARK FACTOR
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
PRICE COMPARISON
The top five salaries for 2011 (annual average), with 2010 stats:
Alex Rodriguez, NYY: $27.5M,30 HR,125 RBI, .270/.341/.506 (avg./OBP/slugging)
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.
Mark Teixeira, NYY: $22.5M, 33HR, 108RBI, .256/.365/.481
Plus factor: Gold Glove first baseman has twice played all 162 games.
Carl Crawford, Bos.:$20.3M,19 HR,90RBI, .307/.356/.495
Plus factor: 47 stolen bases, 110 runs scored last season.
