In a text message to MLB.com on Tuesday, Joe Mauer seemed unaware of the source of a report that he has a deadline for his negotiations on a contract extension with the Twins. In response to a Yahoo report that quoted a source close to him as saying the Minnesota catcher would end contract negotiations if a deal wasn't struck by Spring Training, Mauer wrote, "I'm not going to react to every story/rumor that comes out or comment on any negotiations. As far as that report, I don't know where that came from." The report of a deadline had contradicted comments made by Mauer last week during his teleconference after winning the 2009 American League MVP Award. "I've always said it will happen when it needs to happen and I truly believe that," Mauer said of a potential contract extension. "I'm not the kind of guy that, you know, says by this date we need to have something done." A report by the Minneapolis Star Tribune last week said that the Twins hope to have Mauer signed to a long-term contract extension by Christmas.