Fans hoping to see Joe Mauer in a Red Sox uniform may have to wait a decade.
The reigning AL MVP has reportedly agreed to a 10-year contract extension with the Twins, the New York Post reports, citing Minnesota TV station WCCO.
According to ESPN, a preliminary agreement between Mauer and the Twins is in place but has yet to be finalized.
The three-time All-Star was scheduled to hit free agency following the 2010 season. The 26-year-old had set an Opening Day deadline for contract negotiations.
The Red Sox and Yankees have been linked to Mauer’s potential free agency. Red Sox starting catcher Victor Martinez becomes a free agent after this season while Yankees catcher Jorge Posada is scheduled to be a free agent following the 2011 season.