The False Prophet

With Joe Mauer entering a contract year on the heels of a season that netted him the MVP award, a Gold Glove, and the lead in the statistical categories of slugging, on-base percentage, batting average and OPS, the guy is poised to make a few dollars either in free agency or from a contract extension. Everyone should have seen this coming. He has been scouted and praised since he was in high school, gracing Sports Illustrated's pages since he got his first pimple. His accolades and hype have gotten him this far and he finally seemed to have a true breakout superstar season in 2009. The rumors flying around are estimating a contract of at least $200 million for eight years. This would immediately vault him into Pujols and A-Rod territory. But the real question is, does he really deserve it?

The guy has gotten his due for being a prolific hitter at the position of catcher. A modern day Johnny Bench or Yogi Berra. But is he really THAT unique? I beg to differ. Lets look at another catcher in the National League that has similar stats with 90% less pomp and hype. I am going to put these career stats side by side and let you decide who has the better career so far:

G: 611 AB: 2123 R: 263 H: 623 2B: 156 HR: 91 RBI: 389 BB: 200 AVG: .293 OBP: .356 SLG: .497 OPS: .853

Honors: 4 consecutive All Star Selections and 3 Silver Sluggers through 4 full seasons

G: 699 AB: 2582 R: 419 H: 844 2B: 158 HR: 72 RBI: 397 BB: 368 AVG: .327 OBP: .408 SLG: .483 OPS: .892

 Honors: 3 time All-Star, MVP, 3 time Silver Slugger, 2 Gold Gloves

The first player has played 88 games less than the player on the bottom and had 459 less at bats than the player on the bottom. This is interesting because the player on top has 19 more home runs, only 2 less doubles and only 8 less RBIs! He plays the same position and on a team of similar composure offensively. Figure out who it is yet? Give up? The top career stat line is Atlanta's Brian McCann.

McCann is hidden in Atlanta, a team that has been in a playoff drought of late after so many consecutive years of success. He is the centerpiece to the Braves offense and he comes at a Wal Mart bargain bin price. McCann signed a contract extension in 2007 for 6 years/$27.8 million. Mauer is looking at possibly making close to that in a single season. The Braves upper management should be trembling right now because McCann is almost certainly going to seek arbitration or a new contract if his current play keeps up.

Looking at those stat lines make me wonder if Atlanta even knows how good they have it right now. If McCann were a free agent, he'd be making $20 million per year with those kinds of power numbers at the catcher position. With less years in the league and less hype to go with it despite a similarly impressive stat line to Mauer, McCann will continue to quietly rack up stats and All-Star appearances at Turner Field until 2012 or at least the summer of 2012 (when the Braves unload him, knowing that they won't be able to afford him on the open market). Maybe then, McCann will emerge from the shadow of hype that is Joe Mauer.