Twins Re-Sign Pitcher Carrasco

The Minnesota Twins' reduced payroll in 1999 will include a pay raise for relief pitcher Hector Carrasco.

Carrasco agreed to terms Thursday on a contract that will pay him an $800,000 base salary next season. He can earn $25,000 for appearing in at least 60 games and another $25,000 for finishing at least 30 games.

The right-hander, claimed off waivers on April 1, earned $685,000 in 1998. He was 4-2 with a 4.28 ERA in 63 appearances. He was second on the team with 20 games finished.

The Twins also signed infielder Jon Shave on Thursday. Shave hit .250 in 19 games for the Twins last season and .338 in 90 games with Triple-A Salt Lake.

The Twins entered last season with a payroll of about $27 million, seventh lowest in the majors. They are expected to cut that by several million dollars for 1999.

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