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.
