3/5 14:03: According to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports, the negotiations between Mauer and the Twins may be gaining momentum. Mauer’s agent, Ron Shapiro, visited the Twins’ Spring Training home for the second straight day. Rosenthal said that is “the strongest indication yet that constructive talks are taking place.”

The extended stay by Shapiro, however, almost certainly means that the sides are engaging in deeper discussions.

3/4 08:11: La Velle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reported the agent for Joe Mauer, Ron Shapiro, arrived in Fort Myers, Fla., to meet with the Twins. While it’s being shaped as Shapiro’s annual visit to Spring Training, the sides are expected to hold face-to-face discussions about the future of the Twins’ MVP catcher.

Shapiro and the Twins have negotiated a contract extension for several weeks. While there have been reports that the framework for a deal is in place, there are indications that progress has slowed recently. There are no indications from either the Twins or Mauer’s camp that a deadline for a contract to be worked out has been set.

Mauer is scheduled to make $12.5 million this season, the final year of a four-year, $33 million contract.

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