Minnesota Twins first baseman Joe Mauer is on the tail end of an eight-year, $184 million contract that will wrap up at the end of the 2018 season. Fifteen seasons into his career, the time has come for Mauer to begin contemplating retirement.
Last night, he confirmed that he in fact is weighing his options and considering hanging up the cleats.
"It's tough," Mauer said after the game last night. "It's a tough decision. There are a lot of factors that will go into it."
For Mauer, those factors will consider team interest, player interest, concussions, his family (expecting a third child this year).
It's widely thought that there won't be much interest in the Mauer camp to relocate and play for another team so if there's no interest or no happy middle ground with Minnesota, that might be the deciding factor.
"Right now, is probably not the right time to decide either way. I want to make sure I'm 100% confident and be 100% behind it."
Mauer doesn't seem to be the type of guy that would enjoy a season long farewell tour the likes of Jeter and Rivera so his decision will likely come out of the blue and in the darkness of night during the offseason.