The Twins are next in our 2013 Arbitration Eligibles series. Matt Swartz's salary projections are below.
- First time: Drew Butera ($500K), Brian Duensing ($1.3MM)
- Second time: None
- Third time: Jared Burton ($2.1MM), Alexi Casilla ($1.8MM)
Burton, signed to a minor league deal last November, was a bright spot this year for the Twins. He picked up 18 holds and five saves and will be a key member of next year's bullpen. Unless the MLBPA's projected Super Two cutoff of two years and 139 days proves high, reliever Alex Burnett will fall a few days short and can be renewed at the minimum salary. Otherwise, we estimate an $800K salary.
The remaining three arbitration eligible Twins should be considered non-tender candidates. Duensing probably has the best shot at sticking around, even if he's better off relieving (3.47 ERA) than starting (6.92 ERA). Casilla played his way out of the Twins' starting second base job and may be cut loose. As a third catcher with no offensive skills, Butera's time on a 40-man roster will be up soon.
Assuming Burton and Duensing are tendered contracts, the Twins would be looking at an estimated $3.4MM for two arbitration eligible players.
Matt Swartz's arbitration projections are available exclusively at MLB Trade Rumors. To read more about his projection model, check out this series of posts. For more on the Twins' offseason outlook, read Ben Nicholson-Smith's recent article.
Man, I used to recognize all the Twins’ player names. No so much anymore.
It’s Gardy – I wouldn’t be so quick to presume a third catcher with no offensive skills won’t find a way to stick on the roster for another 4 years or so.
Are we certain Alex Burnett will be arbitration eligible? His baseball-ref page (as well as Cot’s contracts) show his service time to be 2.135, and not arb-eligible until 2014. If MLBTR’s post on Super Two cutoff being at 2.139 is right, he’ll be back on a minimum-salary deal.
You’re right about this, thanks. I’m going to update the post.
Glad to help. This may not matter, but the Offseason Outlook for the Twins also shows Burnett as arb eligible.
Butera is gone. Chris Herrmann was up all September, and he’ll take over the third catcher role and can actually play some outfield too. He has been able to actually hit in the minors, which is something that Butera hasn’t ever really done. It’s a much better way to spend the league minimum.