Twins Sign Blackburn

[mntwinsfan]

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP)—The Minnesota Twins have signed pitcher Nick Blackburn(notes) to a four-year, $14 million contract. The deal includes an $8 million club option for 2014.

Last season, Blackburn went 11-11 for the second straight year then started in the division series when the New York Yankees won 4-3 in 11 innings.

He finished the year with a 4.30 ERA. He led the club in innings pitched and was second in wins.

He was drafted by the Twins in the 29th round of the 2001 draft.

[missionhockey21]

Blackburn is pretty hittable, but he stays out of trouble for the most part and given that this is a pretty reasonable deal, I think this was a pretty good gamble for the Twins. Had his HR rate been higher, it would be a bit more troubling, but Blackburn should be a help, especially at the price, for the Twins over the next four years.