Twins pick up their option on Redmond

Jim Mone, Associated Press - Ap

It came as little surprise that the Twins decided to bring back backup catcher Mike Redmond for another season. Redmond has been the Twins' backup since 2005.

By LA VELLE E. NEAL III, Star Tribune

Last update: October 10, 2008 - 1:13 AM

The Twins picked up the $950,000 option on catcher Mike Redmond's 2009 contract Thursday.

Redmond, 37, batted .287 with no homers and 12 RBI. He appeared in only 38 games, the fewest in his four seasons with the club, but that was because No. 1 catcher Joe Mauer set career highs in games played and plate appearances.

But the Twins believe Redmond is a key employee no matter how many reps he gets. He helped a young starting rotation adapt to the majors and has helped teammates such as Nick Punto learn to handle slumps and injuries.

"Mike Redmond is an important player on the field and an important player in the clubhouse,'' Twins General Manager Bill Smith said.

Redmond was the only Twin with a 2009 option that the club had to decide on.

Hall of Fame bat

Mauer, the first catcher since 1942 to win two batting titles, has donated a bat to the Baseball Hall of Fame. He also sent a bat after 2006, when he won his first batting title.

The Twins also have sent the Hall of Fame a game ball from the Sept. 30 tiebreaker game in Chicago. It was only the fourth tiebreaker game in AL history.

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