From the Minnesota Twins media relations office:

Twins Agree to Terms with Catcher Joe Mauer on Four-Year Contract

MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL, MN -- The Minnesota Twins announced today that they have agreed to terms with All-Star catcher Joe Mauer on a four-year contract that runs through the 2010 season.

Mauer, 23, led the Major Leagues with a .347 (181-521) batting average and became the first-ever American League catcher to win the batting title. In addition, Mauer set career-highs in nearly every offensive category, including, hits, runs (86), doubles (36), triples (4), home runs (13), rbi (84), walks (79) and slugging percentage (.507), while his .429 on-base percentage ranked third in the American League.

"We are pleased to have an agreement with one of Minnesota's brightest young stars," said Twins General Manager Terry Ryan. "Joe has become one of the game's great young players on and off the field. He has a bright future with this organization and means a great deal to the people of Minnesota."

Mauer became just the fourth different Twins player to win a batting title and the first since Kirby Puckett (.339) in 1989. His .347 batting average was the highest since Puckett hit .356 in 1988. The St. Paul, Minnesota native was named the American League Player of the Month for June after hitting .452 (42-93) with a .528 on-base percentage in 24 games. The following month, Mauer was named to his first All-Star Game, July 11 at Pittsburgh.

The first overall selection in the 2001 First-Year Player Draft, Mauer has spent parts of three seasons in the Major Leagues. He made his Major League debut on April 5, 2004 vs. Cleveland and has a career batting average of .321 (358-1117) with 70 doubles, seven triples, 28 home runs and 156 rbi in 306 games.

Posted by twayn at February 11, 2007 12:33 PM