The Twins are unlikely to pick up Scott Baker ’s $9.5 million option, according to 1500ESPN.com’s Phil Mackey.
The 31-year-old right-hander missed the entire 2012 season, is rehabbing from Tommy John surgery and won’t be ready to throw off a mound until December or January. If the Twins were to pick up Baker’s option, he would be the highest paid pitcher on the team.
The team is interested in keeping Baker, but it would likely have to offer him a “reduced, incentive-laden salary,” according to Mackey. General manager Terry Ryan wouldn't comment on how the team would handle Baker but admitted it would like to have him back if he’ll be able to contribute.
Baker has expressed interest in returning to the Twins and believes he’ll be fully healed next season. He compiled a 3.14 ERA in 2011 pitching 134 2/3 innings. He threw a career-high 200 innings in 2009 and also notched a career-high 15 wins.
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