FORT MYERS, Fla. -- There is no need to worry about second base for four years.
The Minnesota Twins made that clear Tuesday when they announced the signing of Brian Dozier to a four-year, $20 million contract. Dozier's salary escalates annually, starting with $2 million this season, $3 million next year, $6 million in 2017 and $9 million in 2018.
Dozier, perhaps saying thank you for the nice contract, displayed his power less than four hours after his morning press conference by blasting the first pitch he saw for a home run off Toronto right-hander Todd Richmond in a 6-5 Minnesota victory at Hammond Stadium.
"I stated many times I want to be here forever," Dozier said before the game. "I love it here, working with great people. It doesn't get any better than the organization I'm with."
Pitcher Ricky Nolasco, Tuesday's starter for the Twins, applauded.
"It's awesome," he said of Dozier's new deal. "He definitely deserves it. It's a great feeling when you have that security.
"He's a big part of this team. Guys do well and they get rewarded. Congratulations to him and his family."
Last year the power-hitting infielder batted just .242 but had 23 home runs, 33 doubles, 71 RBI, 89 walks, 21 stolen bases and scored 112 runs. He also became the first Twins player to ever score more than 100 runs, hit more than 30 doubles and 20 home runs, draw more than 80 walks and steal more than 20 bases.
The 27-year-old Mississippi native, who was picked in the eighth round of the 2009 amateur draft by the Twins, participated in the Home Run Derby at last year's All-Star Game in Minneapolis. He is only the third Twins player, joining Kirby Puckett (1986) and Corey Koskie (2001), to hit at least 20 homers, steal 20 bases and score 100 runs in a season..
Originally a shortstop, Dozier is in his fourth season with the Twins after making his debut in 2012 when he played in 84 games. Now a member of the 20/20 club (homers/stolen bases), Dozier has been hot this spring, batting .448 with three home runs after going 1-for-3 for the 9-10 Twins.
"I'm a Brian Dozier fan," manager Paul Molitor said. "He worked hard to make himself an everyday player. We're elated to have one of our better players in the fold for the next four players."
In the victory over the 12-9 Blue Jays, Nolasco was impressive, facing the minimum 13 batters through 4 1/3 innings and allowing only two singles, both of which were erased by double plays. But Josh Donaldson hit a long home run to tie the score at 1 with one out in the fifth and Nolasco got himself into a jam when he hit a batter and walked another with two out. But he ended the inning with a strikeout, his sixth.
"I wasn't trying to do too much today and it worked out," Nolasco said. "It was good, overall. I was able to finish with a good strikeout. I feel like I'm pretty much ready to go."
By the numbers, it was the best performance this spring for Nolasco, who entered the game with a 0-1 record and 5.19 earned run average in 8 2/3 innings during three starts. His ERA dropped to 3.95 and four of his six strikeouts came on called third strikes.
"I'm trying to attack, throw strikes. I was able to make a lot of good pitches with two strikes," he said, adding that he felt better in his previous outing but acknowledged he had a better line against Toronto.
"It doesn't matter in spring training if it's good or bad. I feel good about it . . . I'm ready to go."
Minnesota closer Glen Perkins pitched a 1-2-3 sixth before Brian Duensing came on. Duensing surrendered two singles and a walk and departed after taking a line drive to his right leg off the bat of Devon Travis. The ball stayed in the infield after caroming off Duensing, loading the bases.
J.R. Graham quickly ended the Toronto rally with a strikeout and the third double play of the game by the Twins infield.
"That's something that stiffens up quickly, so we had to get him out of there," Molitor said of Duensing. "I think he's going to be fine."
The Blue Jays surrendered three runs in the seventh on Torii Hunter's home run following a double by Trevor Plouffe and a walk to Kennys Vargas. It was Hunter's first homer of the spring.
The Blue Jays, helped by bad fielding, scored two runs in the seventh off Graham.
Minnesota added a run when Jordan Schafer homered in the eighth. Schafer is battling for the center field job.
Toronto tied it at 5 in the ninth against Mark Hamburger, who committed a throwing error after knocking down a ground ball.
The winning run in the bottom of the ninth was scored by Eduardo Nunez, who singled, advanced to second on a sacrifice by Eric Fryer and came home on a single by Eddie Rosario.
NOTES: First baseman Joe Mauer started two double plays, throwing to shortstop Danny Santana and taking the return toss. . . . The Twins have 11 spring training games remaining, seven at home. . . . The Twins optioned right-handed pitcher A.J. Achter to Triple-A Rochester and reassigned catcher Tyler Grimes, infielders James Beresford and Jose Martinez, and outfielders Eric Farris and Danny Ortiz to the minor league camp. . . . The Blue Jays had won eight of nine before facing the Twins for the second and final time this spring.
