Twins, pitcher Crain agree on contract

The righthander will get a three-year deal as the team tries to keep its bullpen intact.

By La Velle E. Neal III, Star Tribune

Last update: February 27, 2007 - 7:26 AM

The Twins on Tuesday have agreed to terms on a three-year contract with righthander Jesse Crain.

Crain, 25, was 4-5 with a 3.52 ERA last season, and is 19-10, 2.95 in two-plus seasons with the Twins since being called up during the 2004 season. Crain has emerged as a durable sidekick to set-up man Juan Rincon.

It's the first move by the club to ensure its bullpen, considered to be one of the best in baseball, is intact for the next few years. The club holds a 2008 option on closer Joe Nathan but is interested in locking him up for several more years.

Crain would have been eligible for arbitration after this season, so the deal buys out the first two years of arbitration

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