Mauer will 'definitely' consider retirement in offseason

One of the Minnesota Twins' all-time greats might be on the home stretch of his career.

Joe Mauer, who's played his entire 15-year career in his home state, told the Star-Tribune's LaVelle E. Neal III on Wednesday that he'll consider retiring after this season is over.

“I’m not a percentage type of guy, but it is definitely something I need to think about," the 35-year-old Mauer said when asked about retiring in the offseason. "Today, I want to think about trying to beat those Yankees and trying to do the best I can from here on out. Then sit down and go through all the things that have happened to me this year."

It's been a tough season for Mauer, as he entered play Wednesday sporting a career-worst .717 OPS and just six homers through 111 games. He also spent time on the disabled list with a neck strain and concussion-like symptoms, conjuring up memories of the concussions that forced him to move to first base five years ago.

"There's a lot that goes into it (other) than just, 'Do you want to play?'" Mauer added. "There's a lot of different dynamics that go into it. I owe it to myself and my family to sit down and think about those things.

"... It's interesting. It's a big decision, and I want to make sure I'm 100 percent about it."

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Speculation about Mauer's future has been front and center in Minnesota this season as the eight-year, $184-million contract he signed in 2011 nears its conclusion. During spring training, Mauer addressed his future beyond 2018 and said he had "no intention" of leaving the Twins. A report in March also suggested the team was expected to re-sign him to a shorter-term contract this winter.

Before his concussion problems, Mauer was the premier catcher of his generation and one of the finest to ever don the tools of ignorance. He won the 2009 AL MVP Award, his three batting titles as a catcher are a major-league record for the position, and he's one of just three players to record at least 2,000 hits in a Twins uniform.