The Minnesota Twins have signed Nick Blackburn to a four-year, $14MM contract that includes an $8MM club option for 2014, according to a team press release. Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune says Blackburn will earn $750K this year, $3MM in 2011, $4.75MM in '12, and $5.5MM in '13. The extension is very similar to Scott Baker's.
Blackburn's first two full seasons in the Twins' rotation have been remarkably similar, with the right-hander posting an 11-11 record over 33 starts in both 2008 and 2009. His peripherals remained consistent as well, including a sparkling 1.8 BB/9 over the two seasons, along with a less impressive 4.4 K/9. The 28-year-old is one of many Twins pitchers who performed markedly better at home than on the road. He had a 3.57 career home ERA in the Metrodome era, and a 4.64 ERA in other stadiums.
The contract buys out all of Blackburn's arbitration-eligible seasons, with the Twins holding the $8MM option for his first potential season of free agency. Based on the righty's numbers to date, $14MM for the next four years looks like a reasonable price for the Twins. Blackburn's performance in those four seasons will dictate whether the Twins would be wise to invest another $8MM on him in 2014, at age 32.
The press release notes that the Twins also renewed the contracts of 20 other players, locking up each of the 40 players on their current roster for the coming season.
Seems reasonable for a middle-of-the-rotation guy without a lot of upside. I like it.
is blackburn’s agent the same guy who represents joe mauer? because that would explain why he was at the twins camp.
I don’t know for sure, but I don’t think so.
Good bargain signing. Now for Slowey. But an $8M option for his first FA year? Seems a bit steep…
If he maintains performance, barring significant market crash, a 1/8 deal to buy out his first year of FA is really really good. Most likely, that option will be a no brainer when he hits FA.
If he’s that consistent for the next 4 years. For a guy who can pitch 200+ innings with a near 4 ERA every year in this day is well worth 8m.
Keep in mind $8m four years from now likely will be more akin to $6.5m today. Perhaps even less, depending on how bullish you are on macroeconomic inflationary rates…
I heard Bill Smith break it on the radio this morning – he didn’t release the pricetag. I was thinking the over/under was $20m. Very pleased with $14m. A guy who wins double-digit games and has an ERA around 4 seems likely to pick up more than an avg of $3.5m/yr in arbitration.
Like others have said, this is a good deal. If he continues on pace, he’d likely get a lot more in arbitration. Good deal for the Twins and security for Blackburn.
This is a good signing. Now….. on to Slowey and hopefully Mauer.
i would not move on to slowey just yet… he needs to prove that his wrist is healthy next season. Now Mauer on the other hand…