Twins, four more players agree to terms; Rogers tendered

Today (I’m writing this in the final minutes of Wednesday night) was the deadline for Major League Baseball clubs to tender contracts to their arbitration-eligible players. Teams and these players did not necessarily have to agree on a salary for 2021 yet, but the teams had to indicate by earlier this evening their intention to give arbitration-eligible players contracts for the next season or send them on their way to free agency.

The Minnesota Twins, as previously written about on this fine internet site, decided to non-tender outfielder Eddie Rosario as expected. A surprise non-tender was reliever Matt Wisler. Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports that the team will stay in touch with Wisler and also Rosario, so the Ed era may still have a faint shred of hope.

The front office did tender contracts to the remaining six players that were eligible for arbitration, meaning that they will be with the team in 2021, barring any trades or unforeseen circumstances. In fact, the Twins and five of those players have agreed on a dollar amount for 2021.

As the above tweet from Twins main man Dustin Morse states, the club reached deals with:

• reliever Tyler Duffey, $2.2 million (MLB Trade Rumors projected $2.6 million)
• catcher Mitch Garver, $1.875 million (projected $1.9 million)
• outfielder Byron Buxton, $5.125 million (projected $5.9 million)
• starting pitcher Jose Berrios, $6.1 million (projected $7.5 million)

It’s worthy to note that Berrios’ payday for 2021 is a base $5.6 million with a $500,000 signing bonus that is guaranteed. Additionally, the Twins came to terms with southpaw Caleb Thielbar yesterday, and the official agreed-upon amount is $650,000.

The remaining arb-eligible player that doesn’t have a salary set in stone with Minnesota yet is reliever Taylor Rogers. However, it appears the two sides are working together quickly to avoid going to arbitration, according to Dan Hayes of The Athletic:

With the exception of Rogers, the Twins seem to have it figured out with their players when it comes to contracts for the upcoming campaign. Next stop: sign some free agents! (Hopefully.) The team has five open spots on their 40-man roster.