According to Sid Hartman of the Star Tribune, the talks between the Minnesota Twins and catcher Joe Mauer may have hit a snag because the team’s policy to not defer any salary. Deferring a portion of salary to paid out until after Mauer retires will save him millions in state income tax.

Twins’ owner Jim Pohlad has a team policy to operate on the basis of paying a player when they perform. It was rumored at the beginning of February that the Twins and Mauer had agreed to a ten-year contract.

Hartman believes that the enforcement of this policy may cost the Twins the opportunity to sign catcher Joe Mauer.

Mauer, 26, won the 2009 American League MVP when he hit .365 with 28 home runs and 96 RBIs. You can see Mauer’s contract history and statistics here.

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