Twins reward Cuddyer by picking up 2011 option

The team, well aware of those 32 homers and 92 RBI, picked up a $10.5 million option.

By JOE CHRISTENSEN, Star Tribune

Last update: November 7, 2009 - 11:39 PM

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Michael Cuddyer had one of the bigger comeback seasons in the American League this year, and on Saturday the Twins rewarded him by picking up his $10.5 million option for 2011.

The move assures the Twins of having Cuddyer for at least two more seasons.

After being limited to 71 games because of a series of injuries in 2008, when he managed just three home runs and 36 RBI, Cuddyer bounced back this year, batting .276 with a career-high 32 home runs and 94 RBI.

"We're optimistic that he's going to keep performing at a high level," Twins General Manager Bill Smith said. "He's been a good player for us. He had a good year this year, and we're counting on him to continue to be a leader on the field and off the field."

Cuddyer, 30, said he'd like to spend his whole career with the Twins.

"No doubt," he said. "It's definitely an avenue both parties would like to explore. I'm not sure when, but I'm definitely open to talking about [an extension]."

Asked what he thought of Friday's trade that sent center fielder Carlos Gomez to the Brewers for shortstop J.J. Hardy, Cuddyer said: "I was extremely excited about it. We addressed two needs [getting a shortstop and paring down the number of outfielders] with one swoop."

Ramos injured

Wilson Ramos, the Twins' top catching prospect, left Thursday night's game in the Venezuelan Winter League because of a knee injury after originally injuring the knee in a home-plate collision earlier in the week.

"We're waiting on the doctors and trainers and our staff down there," Smith said. "I think the preliminary report said he was just going to miss a couple days. ... I don't think anybody thinks it's serious."

Neshek takes big step

Twins reliever Pat Neshek, who underwent surgery in his right elbow last November, took a big step in his recovery when he began throwing his slider last week, in addition to his fastball and changeup.

In an e-mail, Neshek said his instructors in Fort Myers, Fla., helped him make a key arm-slot adjustment.

"In '08 my arm got tired, and my shoulder would slope down, and that's pretty much what caused my injury," Neshek wrote. "Being on top a little more is making my slider run a lot. Also, we didn't have a radar gun out, but [Thursday] it felt like I was throwing harder than the start of the '08 season."

Neshek posted a 2.19 ERA in 2006 and a 2.94 ERA in 2007 before posting a 4.73 ERA in an injury-shortened 2008.

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