If you’re a Minnesota Twins fan you’re probably waking up on the wrong side of the bed today. What gives? First Morneau, and now Joe Mauer can’t seemingly stay healthy. Mauer’s latest DL stint could mean more than we want to acknowledge.

I’m not even a Twins fan, but I do like Mauer, and I’m starting to wonder about his future. What scares me is what Ron Gardenhire had to say….

“He’s been, definitely, very sore over the last few days,” Gardenhire said. “Shoulder. Elbow. Hips. I think it’s just the legs are not strong enough underneath him. He says he feels terrible. We have to shut him down early in the season and try to get him well.”

Mauer’s surgery was downplayed in the offseason. It was an afterthought to Morneau’s recovery, and you know he was working out, so he had to be in pretty good game shape. Joe Mauer is a great hitter. He’s the most valuable piece to a growing Minnesota Twins franchise, and because of that they need to make some serious considerations for his future.

First, I have to think his shelf-life as a catcher is very short, but then where do you put him? First base seems to be the most logical place, but Morneau is there. My next guess is probably third base or right field. Right field isn’t such a bad idea. Lets face it. If guys like Nick Swisher and Raul Ibanez and many more can do a decent enough job in the outfield, I’m sure Joe can do it.

The facts are the facts. The guy’s body cannot handle catching. For his career and for the franchise, it’s time to start the Joe Mauer preservation project.