Tagged: contract

Twins sign Denard Span to five-year, $16.5 million contract w/club option

By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com

FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Twins have locked up their leadoff hitter, agreeing to terms with center fielder Denard Span on a five-year, $16.5 million contract extension.

The deal, which was announced Saturday, also includes a $9 million club option for the 2015 season with a $500,000 buyout.

Span is set to make $750,000 this season. He’ll make $1 million in 2011, $3 million in ’12, $4.75 million in ’13, and $6.5 million in ’14.

Last season, Span emerged as one of the top leadoff hitters in the league, batting .311 with a .392 on-base percentage and 68 RBIs in 145 games for the Twins. While he roamed all three outfield spots in 2009 for Minnesota, he will be the club’s permanent center fielder this season after Carlos Gomez was traded to Milwaukee in exchange for shortstop J.J. Hardy.

Span was Minnesota’s first-round draft pick in 2002.

Twins sign RHP Nick Blackburn to four-year deal

By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com

FORT MYERS, Fla. –The Twins announced Sunday that they have signed right-hander Nick Blackburn to a four-year, $14 million contract which includes an $8 million option for the 2014 season.

Blackburn was 11-11 with a 4.03 ERA in 33 starts for the Twins last season. He led the team in innings pitched (205 2/3) and was second on the team in wins.

A 29th round pick of the Twins in the 2001 First-Year Player Draft, Blackburn has a career record of 22-24 with 202 strikeouts in 72 appearances (66 starts).

The Twins have also signed the remaining unsigned players on their 40-man roster to one-year deals.