Twins, Ryan Doumit reach new deal

• Recommend0
• Tweet0
• Comments0
• Email
• Print

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Twins and catcher Ryan Doumit have agreed to a new $7 million, two-year contract.

The Twins announced the deal on Friday before opening a series against the Kansas City Royals. Doumit was signed a one-year deal with Minnesota in the offseason.

"I love being here. This is a great situation for me," Doumit said. "I'm very humbled, very thrilled that the Twins wanted me around the next couple of years."

The 32-year-old Doumit is hitting .271 with seven homers and 32 RBIs in his first season with the Twins. He has served as both a backup catcher to Joe Mauer and a designated hitter while providing some pop at the plate.

Manager Ron Gardenhire has been pleased with the offensive upgrade Doumit has given them as Mauer's primary backup. Drew Butera is also catching occasionally, which gives Gardenhire the option of playing Mauer at first base and DH to reduce the risk of injury.

"Doumit's a blue-collar guy who grinds it out," Gardenhire said. "He can do some things, catch, play some outfield, put some nice swings on the ball. He's big for our ballclub. He comes here to play every day and we like those kinds of players."

Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press

• Recommend0
• Tweet0
• Comments0
• Email
• Print
• Subscribe