Meeting today could finalize Nathan deal

Last update: March 24, 2008 - 12:59 AM

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FORT MYERS, FLA. - Dave Pepe, the agent for Twins closer Joe Nathan, will meet with the club today to try to complete negotiations on a contract extension.

There are only minor details left to discuss on the deal, which is believed to be for four years for at least $11 million a year. Indications are that the sides are still working on how the contract is being structured as well as what type of no-trade clause -- if any -- will be included.

Nathan said Sunday that nothing has changed but that he remained optimistic a deal was close.

The Twins tried to sign Nathan to an extension before the 2007 season but were unsuccessful. There were indications that the Twins would look to deal Nathan after Johan Santana was traded in February, but the club decided to try to stabilize the position for the next few years.

Perkins sent down

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire could tell that lefthander Glen Perkins was "frustrated" about being cut from training camp.

Perkins entered spring training with a shot to make the club as a starter or a reliever but didn't look sharp while posting a 7.50 ERA over 12 innings. When told he was being sent down, Perkins wanted to know why he didn't get more chances to start.

"He was good about it, just frustrated and confused, as he put it, that he had a good start and never had a chance to start again," Gardenhire said. "You only have so many starts here. When you have two starters in the same game, one guy is going to start, one guy is the next guy in line and that's kind of like a start.

"He understood. He was still frustrated. That's fine. I want him to go down there and pitch with an attitude. ... He's a good pitcher. He has a bright future. He needs innings. That's what we want to see."

Gardenhire and pitching coach Rick Anderson decided that Perkins, who pitched only 282/3 innings last season because of a strained muscle near his left shoulder, needs to sharpen his pitching as a starter at Class AAA Rochester.

"The best thing for him and the ballclub is to stretch him out," Gardenhire said.

Rule 5 news

The Twins and Nationals have agreed to a deal that will allow Washington to keep outfielder Garrett Guzman, who was selected from the Twins in the Rule 5 draft in December. The Twins will receive a player to be named later, likely a low-level minor leaguer. The Twins also lost righthanders R.A. Dickey (Mariners) and Tim Lahey (Cubs via Tampa Bay) in the Rule 5 draft. Both have a chance to stick with their new clubs.

Upcoming

Righthander Brian Bass will start at 12:05 p.m. today against the St. Louis Cardinals at Fort Myers, Fla.

Righthander Casey Daigle and lefthander Dennys Reyes are scheduled to pitch as well. Righthander Brad Thompson will start for St. Louis.

LA VELLE E. NEAL III

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