Cuddyer inks $24 mil deal with Twins

MINNEAPOLIS -- Right fielder Michael Cuddyer and the Minnesota Twins agreed Friday to a $24 million, three-year contract.

Minnesota also was expected to announce a multiyear contract with 2006 AL MVP Justin Morneau, who last week agreed to a $7.4 million, one-year deal.

The deals, to be announced at the start of the TwinsFest, come while the team is shopping two-time Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana. Minnesota already saw center fielder Torii Hunter become a free agent and sign with the Los Angeles Angels.

Cuddyer has emerged as a dependable run producer in the middle of the lineup. After years at different infield positions, he earned the right field job and hit .276 with 16 homers and 81 RBIs last season. He led the AL with 19 outfield assists while perfecting the art of playing the ball off that tricky big baggie at the Metrodome.

He gets a $2.75 million signing bonus and salaries of $5 million this year, $6.75 million in 2009 and $8.5 million in 2010. Minnesota has a $10.5 million club option for 2011 with a $1 million buyout.

The team has also reportedly agreed to a long-term deal with first baseman Justin Morneau, and a news conference was scheduled for 5 p.m. EST.

Morneau hit .271 with 31 homers and 111 RBIs last year, becoming the first Twin since Gary Gaetti in 1987 to have back-to-back 30-homer seasons.

The Twins, with a core of Morneau, Cuddyer and catcher Joe Mauer to carry them into their new ballpark in 2010, have reached agreement with all of their arbitration-eligible players.