MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins and middle infielder Alexi Casilla have agreed to a one-year, $865,000 contract, avoiding salary arbitration.
The Twins announced the deal Sunday.
Casilla was in his first year of arbitration eligibility. He took over as the regular second baseman in the 2008 season, hitting .281 with seven homers and 50 RBIs, but he has been hindered by injuries and inconsistency over the last two years.
With second baseman Orlando Hudson leaving as a free agent and shortstop J.J. Hardy traded, Casilla and Japanese acquisition Tsuyoshi Nishioka are in line to take over the starting middle infield spots.
Casilla hit .276 with four triples and six steals in 152 at-bats last season.
