There’s No Place Like Home For Twins’ Perkins Who Agrees To A Four-Year, $22-Million Deal

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- All-Star closer Glen Perkins didn’t exactly enhance his bargaining power when he told the Minnesota Twins he was eager to get a deal done that would enable him to stay at home.

Perkins got his wish Friday, agreeing to a four-year contract that guarantees him $22,175,000.

“I approached them because I wanted to be here,” Perkins said. “I wanted to make that clear, first and foremost, that I believe in what we’re doing here and I wanted to be a part of that. I’m thankful to them for even broaching the subject on something they weren’t required to do.”

Born in St. Paul, Perkins went to the University of Minnesota and was the Twins’ first-round draft pick in 2004.

Perkins had been due $4,975,000 this year and $3.75 million in 2015 under his previous deal, which included a $4.5 million team option for 2016 with a $300,000 buyout.

His new contract gives him $4,025,000 this year, $4.65 million in 2015, $6.3 million in 2016 and $6.5 million in 2017. The Twins have a $6.5 million option for 2018 with a $700,000 buyout.

“I wanted to be here. I grew up in Minnesota. There’s nowhere else that I’ve ever wanted to play,” Perkins said. “And so now, hopefully, this is something where I’ll get to play here for my whole career.”

The 31-year-old lefty converted 36 of 40 save chances last year and was 2-0 with a 2.30 ERA. He had 21 saves at the break and was selected for the AL All-Star team for the first time.

Perkins has a 28-17 career record with a 3.89 ERA and 54 saves.

Asked whether he might have taken a discount for his services, Perkins replied, “I’ll take a $22 million discount any day of the week. I want to be here, and that’s the most important thing. That’s more money than I need. It’s not about that. It’s about being here and being home.”

The Twins announced the deal while playing a pair of split-squad games. Perkins pitched a hitless inning as Minnesota and Baltimore tied at 2 in Fort Myers. Twins manager Ron Gardenhire guided the other split squad to a 7-3 win over the New York Yankees in Tampa.

Perkins made his major league debut with the Twins in 2006. He was 12-4 as a full-time starter in 2008, remained in the rotation in 2009 and then began his move to the bullpen.

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