Livan Hernandez signs with Twins

Feb 12, 2008 - 8:06 PM MINNEAPOLIS (Ticker) -- Livan Hernandez finally found a new home Tuesday, signing a one-year contract with the Minnesota Twins.

Financial terms were not disclosed, but MLB.com reported that the deal has a base value of $5 million and could be worth up to $7 million in incentives.

Hernandez, who turns 33 on February 20, went 11-11 with a 4.93 ERA last season with the National League West champion Arizona Diamondbacks.

But despite being considered one of the top available free agent pitchers available this offseason, Hernandez did not sign anywhere until Tuesday - just five days before pitchers and catchers report to spring training for the Twins.

A two-time All-Star, Hernandez has logged at least 200 innings in nine of the last 10 seasons. The Cuban righthander owns a career record of 134-128 with a 4.25 ERA in 351 career games with four different teams.

A 12-year veteran, Hernandez will be counted on to provide leadership for a Twins rotation which lost three starters this offseason. Minnesota likely will enter the 2008 season with a rotation of Hernandez, Francisco Liriano, Boof Bonser, Scott Baker and Kevin Slowey.

The lefthanded Liriano missed all of 2007 while recovering from "Tommy John" surgery. Bonser and Baker both are just 26 while Slowey, 23, will compete with fellow youngsters Nick Blackburn and Philip Humber for the No. 5 slot in the rotation.

The Twins overhauled their pitching staff this offseason, trading two-time Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana to the New York Mets and dealing promising righthander Matt Garza to the Tampa Bay Rays. Minnesota also lost Carlos Silva, who signed a four-year, $44 million contract with the Seattle Mariners.