MINNEAPOLIS -- The Twins inked a new deal with relief pitcher Brian Duensing on Saturday, avoiding arbitration with the last of six arbitration-eligible players this offseason.
Minnesota and the veteran left-hander agreed to a one-year, $2.7 million deal, the team announced during its annual TwinsFest event at Target Field. Duensing was prepared to attend an arbitration hearing but was happy that step wasn't necessary.
"The last thing you really need is something hanging over your head when you go to spring (training)," said Duensing, who plans to report to Fort Myers on Feb. 12. "The last thing you want to do is be a distraction. I'm excited that it's over with and to move on."
Duensing appeared in 62 games last year, posting a 3.31 ERA and a 3-3 record in 54 1/3 innings pitched. Since his major-league debut in 2009, he owns a 4.12 ERA and is 37-36.
All six of his seasons have been spent in the Twin Cities.The Twins drafted him in the third round of the 2005 amateur draft.
"They're all I know," said Duensing, who will be a free agent once again after this season.
The Twins also avoided arbitration with Jordan Schafer, Eduardo Nunez, Trevor Plouffe, Casey Fien and Tommy Milone.
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