FORT MYERS, FLA. -- The Twins signed reliever Glen Perkins today to a three-year, $10.3 million extension that includes an option for 2016.

Perkins, 29, already was under contract for $1.55 million this year. He would have been eligible for free agency after the 2013 season. His new deal includes incentives for games finished, starting in 2013, so he'll be compensated if he moves into the closer's role.

This deal shows how far Perkins has come with the organization. It was just three years ago that he filed a grievance against the team to recoup lost service time.

"Everyone rolled their eyes when we went through everything a few years ago, thinking this guy was buried; he was in the doghouse, this guy's gone," said Twins assistant GM Rob Antony. "And we kept saying, 'You know what, this guy's a member of our organization. We want him to become what we thought he could become.' "

A 2001 Stillwater High School graduate, Perkins went on to pitch for the Gophers and was a first-round pick (No. 22 overall) in 2004. He and his wife, Alisha, and their two young daughters live in Lakeville year-round.

"We believe in having good people," Antony said. "We think Glen has matured and become a good person -- not that he wasn't before. You can have your differences. That's all off to the side."

Antony added: "[Perkins] had a breakout year last year, but we have a lot of confidence in him because of the person he's evolved into. He's become a bit of a leader in that clubhouse, and a guy that I think we can depend on."

Update: Perkins is guarranteed $2.5 million in 2013, and $3.75 million in both 2014 and 2015. The 2016 option is for $4.5 million with a $300,000 buyout.

Perkins might have made more money if he'd gone year-to-year and then hit the free agent market after 2013.

"I've always maintained that that's enough money for me," he said. "To come out and play baseball -- not to take away from anybody making more money than that -- but that's enough for me to be able to just go play baseball."

RAYS (1-4)
1. Desmond Jennings, LF
2. Elliot Johnson, 2B
3. Sean Rodriguez, SS
4. Carlos Pena, 1B
5. Chris Gimenez, 3B
6. Brad Coon, RF
7. Stephen Vogt, C
8. Jesus Feliciano, CF
9. Nevin Ashley, DH

Scheduled pitchers: Chris Archer, Matt Torra, Romulo Sanchez, Bryan Augenstein, Matt Bush, Ricky Orta.

TWINS (3-3)
1. Denard Span, CF
2. Trevor Plouffe, LF
3. Joe Mauer, C
4. Justin Morneau, 1B
5. Josh Willingham, DH
6. Danny Valencia, 3B
7. Ryan Doumit, RF
8. Brian Dozier, SS
9. Ray Chang, 2B

Scheduled pitchers: Francisco Liriano, Scott Diamond, Deolis Guerra, Carlos Gutierrez, Liam Hendriks, Jeff Manship, Tyler Robertson, Brendan Wise, Daryl Thompson.

Hammond Stadium. First pitch: 12:05 p.m. (Central). No TV. Twins Radio Network.

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