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, 4 HR, 35 RBI, .293 avg., .369 OBP, .424 slugging

Second half: 220 AB, 19 2B, 0 3B, 5 HR, 40 RBI, .373 avg., .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:

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

2010 at Target Field: 9 HR, 75 RBI, .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, 108 RBI, .276/.353/.505

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

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

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

Mark Teixeira, NYY: $22.5M, 33 HR, 108 RBI, .256/.365/.481

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

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

Plus factor: 47 stolen bases, 110 runs scored last season.