2012 MLB Free Agents: Twins Sign Ryan Doumit
By Editorial Staff
Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com is reporting that Ryan Doumit and the Minnesota Twins have reached a one-year, $3 million agreement. Doumit, who had spent his entire career with the Pittsburg Pirates, gets the short-term deal he was seeking while the Twins add some much-needed offense to their roster.
Doumit’s primary position over the years has been catcher. You may have heard of the guy that sets up behind the plate for the Twins.
This signing does not signal that Minnesota’s moving Joe Mauer from behind the plate in order to keep him healthy. Instead, Crasnick is reporting that Doumit will backup Mauer while also spending time as the Twins designated hitter. Beyond DH, Doumit does have some experience at first base and Crasnick says he could man the outfield corners.
At $3 million, the Twins may have gotten a relative bargain if Doumit is able to remain healthy. Though his bat certainly plays better when he’s catching, the 30-year-old does have a career OPS of .777. Last season for the Pirates, Doumit was able to hit at a clip of .303/.353/.477.
So why is this guy only getting a one-year, $3 million deal?
Since hitting the majors in 2005, Doumit had played in no more than 124 games a season for the Pirates. Over the past three years, Doumit’s only managed 276 games. The backstop’s 2011 season was shortened after a home plate collision with Chicago Cubs first baseman Carlos Pena resulted in a fractured ankle.
Doumit and his agent have told teams since free agency began that they were looking for a one-year deal. In signing for the short-term, Doumit hopes he can prove his health in 2012 while continuing to perform at the plate. If he’s able to do so, Doumit might be able to jump back into next year’s free agent market and sign a more lucrative long-term contract.
For more on the Twins, be sure to check out Puckett’s Pond.
You can check out all of the available free agents by position below.