twins/mlb
Joe Christensen, the Star Tribune's national baseball reporter, has covered the big leagues since 1998. A Faribault native, he graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1996. Before working for the Star Tribune, he spent three years covering the Orioles for the Baltimore Sun. He also covered the Padres and Dodgers for newspapers in Southern California. He'll share his thoughts here on the Twins and all things baseball.
Baker agrees to sign with the Cubs; Twins wanted him back, but 2014 option was the sticking point
Posted by: Joe Christensen under Twins pitching Updated: November 13, 2012 - 11:50 AM
The Twins had interest in re-signing Scott Baker, and the righthander had interest in coming back to Minnesota, but negotiations reached a sticking point before Baker agreed to sign with the Cubs on Tuesday.
Baker's new deal with the Cubs will pay him $5.5 million guaranteed, with an additional $1.5 million in incentives, a person familiar with the contract confirmed.
Baker missed all of last season while recovering from Tommy John ligament-replacement surgery in his right elbow. The Twins declined a $9.25 million option for next year, letting him become a free agent.
Two weeks ago, Baker said the sides were making progress toward a new deal. But, according to the person familiar with his new contract, the Twins insisted on the deal including an option for 2014. Baker, 31, wanted a deal that would let him re-establish his value and then test the market again next fall.
In the end, the Twins weren't really that close, so Baker is heading to the Cubs. He went 63-48 with a 4.15 ERA in seven years with Minnesota.
The Twins are moving forward with Scott Diamond as the only starter penciled into their 2013 starting rotation.
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