Mauer ready to rock for Twins: Twins C Joe Mauer told MLB.com on Saturday that he's fully healthy and ready for the season. "The knee's been feeling great," Mauer said during a TwinsFest appearance. "The last year and a half, just trying to compensate for that kind of took a toll on my whole body. I don't think it's going to be an issue. I'm feeling good, so I'm excited. This is the best I've felt in a long time. I'm excited about that." Mauer says he's 100 percent healthy. (Updated 01/28/2012)
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 2/12/12).
Fantasy Analysis
Mauer missed two months early last season with bilateral leg weakness, but he lacked the ability to drive the ball even after he returned. He also missed the final two weeks of the season because of a bout with pneumonia. Now that he's had an offseason to rebuild the strength in his legs, he should come closer to his usual elite numbers, provided he stays healthy. Even at less than 100 percent last year, he could still hit, compiling a .312 batting average from July 1 on. Coming off a down season, Mauer will likely drop outside the top five catchers in Fantasy, but he's a potential early-to-middle-round bargain on Draft Day. (Updated 01/28/2012).
02/10/2012 13:27 2012 Draft Prep: 12-team, mixed H2H draft
Which picks stood out in our initial 12-team Head-to-Head mock draft for 2012? Check out the results and read what Scott White has to say about some of the more interesting selections.
02/07/2012 16:48 Five years is the Jays' deal limit; can they be competitive with it?
The Blue Jays will not sign a player for more than five years. While admirable in today's spend-to-win world, it keeps them from the biggest free-agent names. Danny Knobler wonders if the strategy is practical.
02/07/2012 09:30 2012 Fantasy outlooks: Baltimore Orioles
The Orioles seemed to be on the right track this time a year ago, thanks in part to their young pitching staff. Our Scott White examines Baltimore's chances of helping Fantasy owners in 2012.
02/02/2012 12:21 2012 Draft Prep: Our 12-team, mixed Rotisserie draft
It's time for owners to start looking ahead to Draft Day. We get you off and running with our 12-team Rotisserie mock draft. Check out the results!
In retrospect, Fantasy owners should have known something was wrong when Joe Mauer missed the first half of spring training with lingering effects from offseason knee surgery. For a guy who spends half his time squatting behind the plate, the long layoff was a big deal. Mauer didn't get to build up the strength in his knee prior to the season, and he paid the price -- not just statistically, but with a lengthy DL stint for bilateral leg weakness beginning in mid-April. Though Mauer did improve when he returned in mid-June, he was never quite himself. The Twins gave him extra time at first base and DH in an effort to keep him fresh, but he was more or less a singles hitter all year, unable to make up any ground in the catcher rankings. His season also ended a couple weeks early because of a bout with pneumonia. With three batting titles and an MVP under his belt, Mauer still has the potential to be the best catcher in Fantasy, but coming off such a frustrating year, he's not necessarily a top-five option at the position. That said, an offseason of health could make him a steal in the fifth or sixth round of mixed-league drafts. (Updated 1/5/12)
Actual 
AccuScore Projections) Note: Points are rounded down.
