He wanted to play baseball into early November, but now that the Minnesota Twins' season is over, he says he's going to his lake cabin an hour north of the Twin Cities.

"It's peaceful up there, but it's not what I wanted to do," Mauer said Sunday as he left the Metrodome, a baseball bat in hand. "I was planning on being busy for a while longer."

The Twins said goodbye to their dome by losing 4-1 to the New York Yankees in Game 3 of their AL Division Series. The Twins have won five of the past eight AL Central titles under manager Ron Gardenhire but are 6-18 in postseason games.

Mauer, who batted .365 to win his third batting title, is signed through 2010, but as the Twins move into their outdoor Target Field next season, Mauer's long-term status will be an offseason focus.

The team payroll could jump to between $90 million and $100 million in 2010 from $65.2 million on opening day this year. "It's all tied to revenue," team President Dave St. Peter said.

Mauer, 26, doesn't know when negotiations will start, saying, "It will happen when it happens."

The Twins also will have to figure out what to do with the left side of the infield, whether to keep the bullpen intact and look for opportunities to add experience and depth to the rotation.

"We'll lick our wounds and try to get better," GM Bill Smith said.

Third baseman Joe Crede last played Sept. 13 because of a back injury and is now a free agent who is not likely to return. Other players eligible for free agency include shortstop Orlando Cabrera, right-hander Carl Pavano and left-hander Ron Mahay, each a key to the Twins' September comeback.

The nucleus, though, returns. Justin Morneau finished with 30 home runs and 100 RBI despite missing the last three weeks with a stress fracture in his back. He is signed through the 2013 season, and closer Joe Nathan, 34, has two more years left on his deal. Outfielders Michael Cuddyer, 30, and Jason Kubel, 27, who combined for 60 home runs and 197 RBI, are each signed through next season.

The rotation will be led by Scott Baker, who won 15 games, and Nick Blackburn, who will be in his third season. Kevin Slowey, who won 10 games before a wrist injury, and Glen Perkins (shoulder) are expected to be healthy.

Lefty Brian Duensing made an impression with a 2.72 ERA in the final month, and Francisco Liriano, who had Tommy John elbow surgery in 2007, is a mystery but has "electric stuff," Gardenhire said.

Next season, the Twins will move from the dome to Target Field, which will seat 39,800. The ballpark will have a view of downtown Minneapolis, an overhang of bleachers in right field, outfield dimensions similar to the dome's and little foul territory.

After the loss to the Yankees, Nathan scooped dirt from the dome's mound. Workers dug up home plate. The Twins were 11-1 at the dome during World Series title runs in 1987 and 1991. But the dome's magic had run out. The Twins lost their last eight postseason games under the roof. They say that will change.

"We have to get it done on the field," Gardenhire says. "It's always one pitch here, one pitch there. We have players to win the World Series. We're going into a new ballpark, but our philosophy isn't going to change: We are going to focus on pitching and defense."

		The Twins' new ballpark, 39,800-seat Target Field, is set to open in 2010. By Craig Lassig, AP