The Twins extended their streak to nine straight years without resorting to an arbitration hearing to settle a contract, agreeing to a one-year, $2.7 million deal with left-handed reliever Brian Duensing on Saturday.
Duensing's deal means all six eligible Twins have now agreed to contracts for 2015, meaning Kyle Lohse, awarded $3.95 million in 2006, remains the most recent Minnesota player to appear before an arbitrator.
The contract also means the Twins' payroll is projected to exceed $106 million this season, roughly $20 million more than the team spent in 2013.
Duensing, who had a 3.31 ERA in 54 1/13 innings last season, had filed for $3.1 million, while the Twins offered $2.4 million. The agreed-upon settlement is not quite the midpoint, but Duensing said he was happy with the result.
"I'm glad the process is over with and we agreed. I love this organization, I like that I'm here," the 31-year-old lefthander said. "I'm excited to get it done."
There was no discussion of a multi-year contract, said Duensing, who has been a Twin longer than any of his teammates except Joe Mauer and Glen Perkins. He will become a free agent at the end of the season.
