News that the Twins signed Jim Thome added luster to Twinsfest 2010, the annual gathering of fans, current and former players and memorabilia at the Metrodome. But the contract status of hometown hero Joe Mauer was all the talk among fans.

Mauer is in the final year of his contract with the Twins. If the Twins don’t sign him to an extension, baseball’s best catcher, and one of its best players will become a free agent.

Big-spenders like the Yankees and the Red Sox salivate at the idea while Twins fans cringe.

Kim Abeln from Elk River said, “I think they wouldn’t be the Twins if they didn’t have Joe Mauer.”

Jessica Bloom, also of Elk River, even jokingly offered to help pay for a contract extension.

However, recent signs seem to point to Mauer remaining with the Twins.

Friday, Twins manager Ron Gardenhire told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS he’s confident Mauer wants to stay in Minnesota.

He also compared Mauer’s importance to the team to another Twins legend–Kirby Puckett.

Gardenhire said, “You see Joe walk in everybody kind of gets a smile on their face you know. He’s got that infectious little smile himself. He’s a quiet kid, not as boisterous as Puck but you know he’s very confident about the way he goes about it and I think that confidence breeds to everybody else.”

Thursday at a fundraiser Mauer said, “I’ve been getting a lot of questions the last few weeks and I know people are concerned, but you just have let things happen and let them sort themselves out.”

5 EYEWITNESS NEWS sources are indicating that Mauer and the Twins could reach a deal in the next few weeks. They say fans shouldn’t be surprised if the contract is in the 10-year range.