MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Twins and utilityman Michael Cuddyer agreed Saturday to a $1.3 million, one-year contract that avoided arbitration.
Cuddyer asked for $1.5 million and the Twins offered $1.1 million when the teams exchanged arbitration figures Tuesday. Cuddyer, who began last season as the regular third baseman, will be competing for time in right field this spring with Jason Kubel and Lew Ford. The 26-year-old Cuddyer hit .263 with 12 homers, 42 RBI and 25 doubles in 422 at-bats last year -- all career highs.
Cuddyer can make $50,000 in performance bonuses: $10,000 for 500 plate appearances, $12,500 each for 525 and 550 plate appearances
and $15,000 for 575 plate appearances.
Minnesota has two players remaining in arbitration: right-hander Kyle Lohse and utilityman Nick Punto.