With the American League MVP Award added to his third batting championship — unprecedented for a catcher — the biggest question about the native of St. Paul is not about how he'll play but where he'll play starting in 2011.

"I definitely enjoy playing in front of my friends and family," said Mauer, whose contract with the Minnesota Twins ends after next season. "That's all I know. ... (A new contract) will take care of itself when it needs to. I really haven't been too worried about it."

The other things he knows well are hitting and catching, as evidenced by his near-unanimous choice in the MVP voting by the Baseball Writers' Association of America announced Monday. Only one of the 28 voters (two for each AL city) did not list Mauer first on his ballot.

Seattle-based Keizo Konishi of the Japanese news agency Kyodo News voted for Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera, who finished fourth overall behind New York Yankees teammates Mark Teixeira and Derek Jeter.

"I'm real humbled by it," Mauer said in a teleconference from the Metrodome, during which teammate and 2006 AL MVP Justin Morneau walked in with a bottle of champagne. "To be the MVP is hard to describe. It gives you a little bit more incentive to work hard in the offseason."

But Mauer said he was in better physical condition entering this winter than at any time in his career.

"I don't know what to do with myself," said Mauer, 26, who grew up within a mile of the homes of All-Star pitcher Jack Morris and Hall of Famer hitters Paul Molitor and Dave Winfield. "I haven't had an offseason when I didn't have to take care of something."

That's a marked contrast from last spring training, when he could not play because of back inflammation that caused him to miss the first month of the season.

But he came back and hit an AL-high .365 with 28 home runs and led the league in slugging percentage (.587) and on-base percentage (.444).

"It might have been a blessing in disguise, but I don't like to miss too many games," Mauer said of the injury possibly reducing the wear and tear of a long season of catching.

"My main goal was to stay on the field. I think it gives us a better chance to win."

Mauer has no inclination to give up catching anytime soon, though he realizes it might eventually help lengthen his time as a premier offensive player.

"It's something I don't want to find out too soon," he said. "I love the demands and responsibilities (of catching). I don't know anything else.

"Since I've been in professional baseball, a lot has been expected of me on the offensive side as well as the defensive side."

Mauer said he was looking forward to the Twins' outdoor stadium opening in April after playing six seasons of home games at the Metrodome — except maybe for the early-season weather.

"April's going to be a challenge," he said. "But I'm not going to miss that turf. That turf does a number on you."

But the big numbers remain the ones Mauer puts up against opponents.

"I'm starting to realize what kind of season I had," he said. "It's been kind of nice to reflect on the year.

"I have to start thinking about next year, but I think I'm going to enjoy this for a little bit."

Enlarge By Andy King, AP All-Star Twins catcher Joe Mauer led the league in batting average (.365) and set career highs in home runs (28) and RBI (96).