Minnesota has officially avoided arbitration for 2016, wrapping up its final outstanding case with third baseman Trevor Plouffe by agreeing to a one-year, $7.25 million deal.
Plouffe requested $7.95 million and the Twins countered at $7 million, so the settlement comes on the team-friendly side of the midpoint by more than $200,000.
Plouffe is coming off a typical season, hitting .244 with 22 homers and a .742 OPS in 152 games to nearly match his .728 career OPS. Improved defense at third base makes him an above-average all-around starter, but at age 30 and with Miguel Sano around as a potential replacement there was some speculation that the Twins could look to trade Plouffe.
Instead they’ve decided to keep Plouffe--who’ll be arbitration eligible for the final time in 2017--and move Sano to the outfield.
