The Minnesota Twins announced today that they have signed right-handed pitcher Jared Burton to a two-year extension through the 2014 season worth a guaranteed $5,500,000 million.  Burton will earn $2,050,000 in 2013 and $3,250,000 in 2014.  The deal also includes a $3,600,000 club option for the 2015 season with a $200,000 buyout. 
 
“Jared has been an ideal fit for our ball club since the day he signed with us,” said Twins Executive Vice President/General Manager Terry Ryan.  “He proved to be a reliable reliever for us and has helped stabilize the back end of our bullpen.”
 
Burton, 31, went 3-2 with five saves in nine opportunities, a 2.18 ERA (62.0 IP, 15 ER), 16 walks and 55 strikeouts in 64 appearances for the Twins in 2012. The South Carolina native was signed by Minnesota as a free agent on November 14, 2011.
 
Burton has a career record of 13-5 with five saves, a 3.08 ERA (231.0 IP, 79 ER), 89 walks and 198 strikeouts in 228 appearances in parts of six seasons with Cincinnati (2007-11) and Minnesota (2012). He was originally selected by Oakland in the eighth round of the 2002 First-Year Player Draft out of Western Carolina University.