The Twins signed one-year deals with Trevor Plouffe ($4.8 million), Tommy Milone ($2.775 million), Casey Fien ($1.375 million) and Eduardo Nunez ($1.025 million) on Friday, avoiding arbitration with all of them,

But lefthander Brian Duensing and outfielder Jordan Schafer were unable to be signed, so the sides swapped arbitration figures.

Duensing is seeking $3.1 million next season while the Twins have countered with a $2.4 million offer. He was 3-3 with a 3.31 ERA in 62 games last season and earned $2 million.

Schafer, who was claimed off waivers from Atlanta in August, filed for $1.7 million while the Twins have filed for $1.4 million. Schafer batted .285 with 15 stolen bases in 41 games with the Twins. He batted .238 with 30 steals between the Twins and Braves last season.

In many cases, teams and players agree to settle at the midpoint of their offers, which would be $2.75 million for Duensing and $1.55 for Schafer. Sometimes one side will fight to get past the midpoint.

Twins assistant General Manager Rob Antony, who has taken over salary arbitration duties in recent years, has not given up getting Duensing and Schafer signed before their arbitration cases are heard (between Feb. 1-21 in Tampa). He has not talked about a multi-year deal with either player.

``It will depend on how the numbers shake out," Antony said. ``If we are far apart and the midpoint doesn't make any sense there's a chance we could go to arbitration."