Versatile infielder Ehire Adrianza, Twins agree at $1.6M

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Backup infielder Ehire Adrianza and the Minnesota Twins agreed Monday to a $1.6 million, one-year contract, avoiding salary arbitration.

The deal was reached ahead of the deadline for major league teams to offer 2020 contracts to unsigned players on their 40-man rosters.

Adrianza played seven positions this year, everywhere but catcher and center field, taking the majority of his turns at third base, shortstop and first base. The 30-year-old batted .272 with a .765 on-base-plus-slugging percentage, both career bests. He had five homers and 22 RBIs in 202 at-bats.

Adrianza has hit .260 with a .711 OPS in 267 games with the Twins since being claimed off waivers in 2017, playing at least five positions in all three years. He’s eligible for free agency after next season.