Joe Mauer And Twins Mentioned In Same Sentence

Joe Mauer and the Twins have agreed on ... something. Or maybe nothing at all.

As we mentioned earlier today, Joe Christensen of the Star Tribune was reporting that Mauer and the Twins would "soon" sign a contract extension. He said that the framework was all set, it was just a matter of figuring out the little things like deferred payments. Christensen then added, "I'm confident an extension is coming. It's a matter of when, not if."

If that was the fire for the Internet's rumor mill, then a report from Minneapolis's WCCO-TV provided the gasoline. According to WCCO, Mauer and the Twins have already reached an agreement ... for a 10-year extension. No other details were provided, just that "sources" told WCCO-TV's Mark Rosen that Mauer had come to a preliminary agreement with Minnesota.

As quickly as that report surfaced, however, ESPN Buster Olney moved even faster to say it wasn't accurate with a series of tweets. 

1. Am told by source close to the Twins that the report of a preliminary 10-year agreement with Mauer is not accurate.

2. The Twins remain optimistic that a deal will eventually get done, but a deal is not done yet.

3. Multiple sources now saying that the report on a preliminary agreement for Mauer is not accurate.

Christensen also added that there is no deal yet in place. 

So, that's where we are now. Mauer is entering the final year of current contract, and is set to make $12.5 million in 2010. The Twins probably are closing in on a deal with their catcher (where there's smoke, there's fire), but, a 10-year deal seems a bit much, even for Mauer. SI's Jon Heyman suspects it's more likely in the seven to eight year range. 

Be sure to follow SB Nation's Twinkie Town for the latest, where they are ... cautiously optimistic, and keeping the champagne on ice.