Rob Antony saved him that bit of unpleasantness with a phone call. The Twins' assistant general manager reached Joe Bick, Guerrier's agent, Thursday with a simple proposition: Let's split the difference.

"Fifteen minutes later, it was done," Bick said of Guerrier's $1.475 million contract for 2009, the second straight season the sides have agreed to the midpoint of their proposals.

Guerrier, coming off a season in which he led the American League with 76 appearances but posted a 5.19 earned-run average and 6-9 record - 0-5 and 10.07 over the final two months -- had sought $1.75 million for this year, while the Twins offered $1.2 million. The sides had discussed other options, including a multiyear deal, but hadn't spoken since Jan. 29.

"I had stopped thinking about it. I was out golfing when my agent called and said, 'Guess who I just talked to?' " Guerrier said from Fort Myers, Fla., where he is working out in advance of next week's opening of training camp. "I always hoped we could agree on a two-year deal, but I think both sides were happy with how it turned out."

Last year, Guerrier signed for $950,000 just a couple of days after filing for $1.1 million and learning of the Twins' $800,000 offer.

It took longer to reach that compromise this year because the Twins were waiting to see what the market price would be for similar pitchers, Antony said.

"We allowed some numbers to come in, saw what guys around him were signing for," he said. "In the arbitration process, everyone's salary affects everyone else's, but we were comfortable with the midpoint."

The Twins, who signed Jason Kubel to a two-year contract last week, have no other players eligible for arbitration.