The Twins are taking the silent but deadly approach this offseason. Pending a physical, Jeff Cirillo will reportedly sign a one-year contract in the neighborhood of $1 million with the Twins as a backup infielder, primarily at third base, first base and DH.
Cirillo, 37, batted .319 with three home runs and 23 RBIs in 112 games with the Brew Crew last season and holds a career .299 batting average at the Metrodome. His decision to leave Milwaukee wasn't an easy one, but it came down to playing time. As a fan favorite, Cirillo holds the club's career batting average after spending eight of his thirteen Major League seasons in Milwaukee.
He did receive a one-year, $1.2 million offer from the Brewers for 2007, but it came with limited playing time considering Tony Graffanino's return and the addition of veteran Craig Counsell.
"I'm torn, because you want to be loyal to the Brewers, and the fans have treated me so well there," he said. "But at the same time, I would have been relegated to pinch-hitting. I know how hard it is to be the 'pinch-hit guy.' I also know that things happen every year. Baseball is a long season, and guys get injured. But the role I'll be playing in Minnesota will probably get me three times as many at-bats. It came down to playing time."
Welcome aboard, Jeff!
2 comments:
I hear he's a young 37, though...
Let's hope so. He seems in good enough shape! I mean, look at Matthew LeCroy.
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