2012 MLB Free Agents: Twins Sign Matt Capps
By Editorial Staff
According to multiple reports the Minnesota Twins have reached a one-year agreement with reliever Matt Capps. The Associated Press is reporting that Capps will make $4.5 million in 2012 and that his deal includes a $6 million option for 2013 with a $250,000 buyout. While the Twins haven’t made an official announcement, many believe that Capps will be Minnesota’s closer next season.
Twins general manager Terry Ryan hinted that a Capps return may be in the works last week during a press conference. At the conference, Ryan said that Capps was “a little sore” in 2011, but “always took the ball”. Ryan told reporters that the 28-year-old “never made excuses”.
His team’s season-ticket holders have expressed their concern over bringing Capps back, but Ryan simply said that players “have an off year”. Last season, Ryan admitted that the organization as a whole had an off year.
Capps’ “off year” that Ryan was referring to included 65 2/3 innings at an ERA and WHIP of 4.25 and 1.203. Though his BB/9 remained even with his career mark (1.8), Capps SO/9 dropped to 4.7. Over his seven major league seasons, Capps has maintained an ERA of 3.51 while compiling 124 saves.
Minnesota told reporters earlier in the year that they were not ready to hand their closer’s role over to Glen Perkins. Perkins’ strong performance in 2011 will make him the top candidate to be Capps’ setup man next season.
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.