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.
