Twins, SS Punto agree on 2-year deal

[December 12, 2008]  MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Infielder Nick Punto and the Minnesota Twins reached agreement on a two-year deal Thursday.

Punto hit .284 for the Twins last season and filed for free agency. The contract includes a club option for a third season.

Punto was the team's regular shortstop for much of last season. The Twins have been looking to shore up the left side of its infield in the offseason, but Punto figures to get plenty of playing time in any case.

The 31-year-old started 59 games at shortstop and split another 29 starts at second and third.

Punto has a career average of .252 in six-plus years in the majors.

[Associated Press]

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