Twins, Jared Burton Agree on Contract Extension

The Minnesota Twins signed reliever Jared Burton to a contract extension. The new deal covers 2013 and 2014 with a team option for 2015. The signing was first reported by Darren "Doogie" Wolfson of ESPN 1500 (via Twitter) and has now been confirmed by the Twins.

According to the Twins' press release, the deal is for two years, at $5.5 million. He will make $2.05 million in 2013 and $3.25 million in 2014. The option for 2015 is at $3.6 million with a $200,000 buyout.

Last week, the Twins tendered Burton a contract. This is the final year of arbitration-eligibility so the new contract will buy out one year of his free agency and the option year could buy out another.

[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]

Burton came to the Twins last year in a minor league contract. He made the Opening Day roster and was a mainstay in the back-end of the Twins bullpen. The 31-year-old righty went 3-2 with the first five saves of his career. In 64 games and 62 innings, he posted a 2.18 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP. He walked just 16 and struck out 55. He gave up five home runs, but two of them came in his first Twins outing. How do I remember that? Because when he came into the game, I told my whole family (with some extended family around) that Burton would be the Twins closer by the end of the season. They vehemently disagreed after the two gopher balls.

Burton was available on a minor league contract because he missed time in 2010 and 2011 with arm injuries. The Twins used him wisely in 2012.

What are your thoughts on the extension?