MINNEAPOLIS - Former AL MVP Justin Morneau received the most lucrative contract in Minnesota Twins history, an $80 million, six-year deal announced Friday along with a $24 million, three-year agreement for right fielder Michael Cuddyer.
The Twins, who have explored trading two-time AL Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana, announced the agreements at the start of their TwinsFest. General manager Bill Smith, at a news conference to discuss the Morneau and Cuddyer contracts, said the two deals do not affect any other players.
"I don't think it's any great change in philosophy," Smith said.
Assistant general manager Rob Antony handled the negotiation and praised owner Carl Pohlad and his sons for approving the deals during an offseason in which center fielder Torii Hunter and pitcher Carlos Silva left as free agents to sign with other teams.
The Pohlads didn't "want this to continue to happen," Antony said.
Morneau and Cuddyer, beaming and dressed in dark suits, joined Smith and Antony at a podium near third base on the Metrodome field.
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. Morneau agreed to a $7.4 million, one-year contract last week, but both sides wanted to go longer.
"It's my first three years of free agency, but there's nowhere I'd rather play than Minnesota," Morneau said.
The first baseman hit .271 with 31 homers and 111 RBIs last year, becoming the first Twins player since Gary Gaetti in 1987 to have back-to-back 30-homer seasons.
Cuddyer has emerged as a dependable run producer in the middle of the lineup, though his numbers dropped from a career year in 2006. After being moved around the field several times throughout the beginning of his career, Cuddyer has settled in right.
The ninth overall draft pick in 1997, Cuddyer 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.
Cuddyer 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.
With Hunter's departure, the Twins have an opening in center field. Manager Ron Gardenhire has mentioned that he might try Cuddyer there this spring.
"If that does come about, obviously I'm going to go out there and play my best," Cuddyer said.
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AP Sports Writer Dave Campbell contributed to this report.
