The Twins have reached agreement with catcher Kurt Suzuki on a one-year, $2.75 million contract, pending a physical.
Suzuki, 30, played with Oakland and Washington last season, batting .232 with 5 home run and 32 RBI. He has spent most of his career with the A's, and has a career batting average of .253.
The Twins have searched for catching help throughout the offseason. They made offers to A.J. Pierzynski and Jarrod Saltalamacchia but were turned down. The need for catching grew even more when they traded Ryan Doumit on Wednesday to the Braves in exchange for pitching prospect Sean Gilmartin.
Josmil Pinto is the catcher of the near future for the Twins, but the club wanted an experienced catcher to share duties with him. With Suzuki around to sit in meetings with Pinto - plus the presence of Joe Mauer and coach Terry Steinbach - Pinto won't be hurting for mentors.
Look for this deal to be finalized next week. The Twins have one spot open on their 40-man roster, and that is expected to go to Mike Pelfrey when his two-year, $11 million contract is finalized as early as today. The Twins will have to make room on their 40-man roster for Suzuki.
