FORT MYERS, Fla. -- All-Star closer Glen Perkins didnt exactly enhance his bargaining power when he told the Minnesota Twins he was eager to get a deal done that would enable him to stay at home. Perkins got his wish Friday, agreeing to a four-year contract that guarantees him $22,175,000. "I approached them because I wanted to be here," Perkins said. "I wanted to make that clear, first and foremost, that I believe in what were doing here and I wanted to be a part of that. Im thankful to them for even broaching the subject on something they werent required to do." Born in St. Paul, Perkins went to the University of Minnesota and was the Twins first-round draft pick in 2004. Perkins had been due $4,975,000 this year and $3.75 million in 2015 under his previous deal, which included a $4.5 million team option for 2016 with a $300,000 buyout. His new contract gives him $4,025,000 this year, $4.65 million in 2015, $6.3 million in 2016 and $6.5 million in 2017. The Twins have a $6.5 million option for 2018 with a $700,000 buyout. "I wanted to be here. I grew up in Minnesota. Theres nowhere else that Ive ever wanted to play," Perkins said. "And so now, hopefully, this is something where Ill get to play here for my whole career." The 31-year-old lefty converted 36 of 40 save chances last year and was 2-0 with a 2.30 ERA. He had 21 saves at the break and was selected for the AL All-Star team for the first time. "One less thing to worry about," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. Perkins has a 28-17 career record with a 3.89 ERA and 54 saves. "Im excited about the commitment they made and look forward to rewarding them, like I did the last two years," he said. "They gave me a chance in the bullpen a couple years ago and I rewarded them, and I look forward to doing that for the next four, maybe five years." Asked whether he might have taken a discount for his services, Perkins replied, "Ill take a $22 million discount any day of the week. I want to be here, and thats the most important thing. Thats more money than I need. Its not about that. Its about being here and being home." The Twins announced the deal while playing a pair of split-squad games. Perkins pitched a hitless inning as Minnesota and Baltimore tied at 2 in Fort Myers. Gardenhire guided the other split squad to a 7-3 win over the New York Yankees in Tampa. Gardenhire said hed heard the Twins and Perkins were working on a deal. "Im excited for him," Gardenhire said, adding with a laugh, "I think when the contracts up, hell be in a wheelchair." Perkins made his major league debut with the Twins in 2006. He was 12-4 as a full-time starter in 2008, remained in the rotation in 2009 and then began his move to the bullpen. "The guys come a long way from wanting to be a starter and complaining about it," Gardenhire said, who liked how Perkins had "grown up" with the Twins. "Very good pitcher with a great arm," he said. Kyle Gibson, who made 10 starts for Minnesota last year, was glad to hear Perkins would be sticking around for a while. "I dont know if theres anybody better out there. Hes a great team guy. Hes a leader," Gibson said after pitching four innings against the Yankees. <a href="http://www.cheapcarolinapanthersjerseysauthentic.com/">Cheap Carolina Panthers Jerseys</a>. 1 and reigning champion Caroline Wozniacki was among Thursdays third-round winners, while second- seeded Victoria Azarenka pulled out of the draw at the $4. <a href="http://www.cheapcarolinapanthersjerseysauthentic.com/?tag=authentic-christian-miller-jersey">Christian Miller Jersey</a>. It certainly isnt a coincidence that Dwight Howard has scored at least 20 points in each game of the winning streak. http://www.cheapcarolinapanthersjerseysauthentic.com/. For Sweed, a second round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2008, this will be his second go around in the CFL after previously having spent time with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. <a href="http://www.cheapcarolinapanthersjerseysauthentic.com/?tag=authentic-greg-little-jersey">Greg Little Jersey</a>. Pironkova, who was ranked outside the top 100 despite reaching the Wimbledon semifinals in 2010, beat three top 10 players in Sydney, 2012 French Open finalist Sara Errani, 2011 Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova and Kerber. <a href="http://www.cheapcarolinapanthersjerseysauthentic.com/">Cheap Panthers Jerseys</a>. Al Horford said all he had to do was make the catch near the basket and then shoot a soft jumper.(SportsNetwork.com) - The Golden State Warriors came up empty in their tour through Los Angeles and are back home for the next six games, starting with Saturdays matchup with the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Warriors will also host Philadelphia, Toronto, Oklahoma City, Indiana and Cleveland, and have won eight straight at Oracle Arena. They are 10-1 as the host and have lost two straight overall and three of five games since winning a franchise-record 16 in a row. Golden State dropped a 115-105 decision to the Lakers on Tuesday, then suffered a 100-86 setback against the Clippers on Christmas. Stephen Curry posted 14 points, nine rebounds and seven assists, while Klay Thompson led the visitors with 15 points. Harrison Barnes added 12 and 13 rebounds in the loss. Very poor execution, Golden State coach Steve Kerr said. We had a chance to be up 15 at halftime. Offensively, were not in the same groove. Were not moving the ball. Kerrs squad scored a season-low 42 points in the first half, but is still third in the NBA with 107.4 ppg and first in field goal percentage (48.0). The Warriors, who are 15-0 when holding the opposition under 100 points, won 10 in a row at home backk in 1994.dddddddddddd Minnesota is mired in a seven-game slide and is 0-2 on a four-game road trip. It fell to 5-23 on the season with Fridays 106-102 loss at Denver, as Thaddeus Young scored 23 points and Andrew Wiggins added 22. Shabazz Muhammad scored 14 points and Gorgui Dieng added 14 and 13 rebounds for the Timberwolves, who shot 39.8 percent and were outrebounded 62-44. Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried killed the Wolves with 25 boards and 26 points. Were a young team and sometimes it happens like that at the end of the game, Young said. You just cant find a shot or you cant make a free throw. Minnesota is on its longest losing streak since a seven-game slide from March 30-April 17, 2012. The Wolves have lost seven in a row on the road and are 2-12 as the guest. They will close the sojourn Tuesday in Utah. The T-wolves are second-to-last in opponents scoring at 108.9 ppg. That could be trouble against the Warriors, who recorded a 102-86 win in the Twin Cities on Dec. 8. Curry and Thompson each scored 21 points in that one for Golden State, while Wiggins posted 21 points as well. The Warriors have won 15 of the last 18 encounters in this series. <a href="http://www.chinawholesalejerseysnfl.com/">Wholesale Jerseys</a> ' ' '