Twins hope to keep Scott Baker in 2013

The Minnesota Twins will hope to keep veteran pitcher Scott Baker with the club next season as he completes his recovery from Tommy John surgery.

Twins General Manager Terry Ryan told Phil Mackery of 1500ESPN.com that the team would ``like to keep`` Baker in 2013 but indications are that the team will decline its $9 million option on the seven-year veteran for next season.

Baker has spent all seven seasons of his career with the Twins, starting 159 of the 163 games in which he has appeared and earning a 63-48 record with 770 strikeouts and a 4.15 ERA. Baker was 8-6 in 21 starts for Minnesota in 2011 and was placed on the DL before the start of the 2012 season. Baker underwent surgery on his right elbow last April.

Baker has said that he wants to be back with the team next season and is open to hearing what the Twins have to say even if they decline their club option.