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After several weeks of rumors hinting at the move, the Minnesota Twins have officially declined the $9.25 million option of right-hander Scott Baker, reports Joe Christensen of the Star Tribune:
The Twins today notified starting pitcher Scott Baker that they will not be picking up his $9.25 million option for 2013, allowing him to become a free agent, a person familiar with the discussions said.
The decision was not a surprise, but there was some thought that the sides might work out an incentive-laden deal before Baker hit the free agent market.
Baker, 31, missed the entire 2012 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery early in the year. The right-hander has spent all eight seasons of his big-league career in Minneapolis, and could stay with the club at a discounted price.
Baker has a 4.15 ERA, 7.2 K/9 and 2.1 BB/9 in just over 950 innings in his career.
All players hit the unrestricted free agent market at 12:01 a.m. ET on Saturday.