Twins, Mauer sign 8-year, $184M deal

The (Minneapolis) Star Tribune reported Sunday that the deal, which would keep the hometown hero and reigning American League MVP under contract through 2018, includes a full no-trade clause.

The newspaper said an official announcement is planned for 6 p.m. Monday during a press conference at the team's Fort Myers, Fla., spring training facility.

USA Today reported the contract would make Mauer, who turns 27 next month, the second-highest-paid baseball player ever, rewarding him for a fantastic season in which he led the AL in batting average as well as on-base and slugging percentage.

The news came on the same day that dominating Twins closer Joe Nathan revealed he would be out for the season with elbow surgery.

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