MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Twins finalized their $2.75
million, one-year contract with outfielder Rondell White on
Wednesday.
With a second-year option and performance bonuses, White could
make $8.5 million if he has 650 plate appearances or more in each
of the next two seasons.
White signed with the Twins last season to be their designated
hitter but struggled through most of the year, though he was
bothered first by a shoulder problem and then a hamstring injury.
Halfway through the season, he was batting only .182 with 15 RBI
and no homers in 181 at-bats when placed on the disabled list and
sent to the minors for a rehabilitation assignment.
But White batted .351 with three homers and 10 RBI in
September, taking over in left field for Jason Kubel when the
rookie was limited by knee problems. White finished with a .246
average, seven homers and 38 RBI in 99 games and 337 at-bats. The
move likely leaves Kubel as the leading candidate to be the DH,
with veteran Jeff Cirillo also sure to see plenty of time there.
White began his major league career in 1993 with Montreal, and
had stints with the Chicago Cubs, New York Yankees, San Diego,
Kansas City and Detroit.