Twins avoid arbitration with Repko and Neshek
By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com
MINNEAPOLIS — The Twins have avoided arbitration with outfielder Jason Repko and right-hander Pat Neshek.
The club agreed to terms Thursday with Repko on a one-year, $600,000 contract and with Neshek on a one-year, $625,000 deal.
Repko and Neshek are two of the 10 arbitration-eligible players that the Twins had to decide whether to tender a contract to by 10:59 p.m. CT on Thursday night.
The Twins will likely tender contracts to the majority of their remaining arbitration-eligible players by the deadline, including shortstop J.J. Hardy.
Repko, who will turn 30 later this month, filled the role as the Twins’ fourth outfielder, playing all three outfield positions, after being called up to the Majors in June. He batted .228 with three home runs and nine RBIs in 58 games for the Twins.Last season, Repko earned $500,000 and he was primarily used as a defensive replacement late in games.
Neshek, 30, spent the majority of last season at Triple-A Rochester in what was his first year back following Tommy John surgery. He posted a 5.00 ERA in 11 relief appearances with the Twins (nine innings) and had a 3.89 ERA in 30 appearances for Rochester. His $625,000 for the 2011 season is the same amount that he made in 2010.
UPDATE: Twins tendered contracts to the remaining 26 players on their 40-man roster for the 2011 season, including Hardy. Clay Condrey, who had been thought to be a non-tender candidate, was actually outrighted off the roster a month ago and elected to become a free agent. The Twins now have seven remaining arbitration-eligible players: pitchers Matt Capps, Francisco Liriano, Glen Perkins and Kevin Slowey, outfielder Delmon Young and infielders Alexi Casilla and Hardy
Kelly's Corner 
Why would you re-sign Jason Repko? What a waste of money. The twins have all of this young outfield depth in the minors that they are raving about. Why don’t they give one a chance to get his feet wet. With Cuddyer back in the outfield our defense is not that bad. If Kubel works on his defense this winter, he showed flashes last year that he can be a decent fill in.
Please explain what Repko brings to the table. A .226avg, 2hr and what 60rbi’s. That is a prototipical twin, but lets get our head out of the clouds. With the White Sox re-signing Konerko and AJ with the addition of Adam Dunn they are very dangerous.
Alexi Casilla for a career is a .249 hitter that has been sent to the minors on a number of occasions because of his lack of hitting and focus and Bill Smith and Ron Gardenhire think that he is ready for a starting job. Does that sound like a player that is going to help lead you into the playoffs, or even win a playoff game against the Yankees for you. I don’t think so.