Minnesota Twins, Oakland A's outfielder Josh Willingham close to signing -MLB Update
According to sources close to the team and player, the Minnesota Twins and Oakland Athletics outfielder, Josh Willingham, are close to signing a multi-year deal and could be announced at any time in the upcoming days if they have not already done so.
When the team and player were reached for contact about the news, neither sources answered in the positive but hinted at something going down in the next few days if not hours.
The deal is expected to be a three-year one, somewhere in the $20 plus-million range, while some sources announce it to be at $21 million, which is a fairly decent amount to settle at for a player of his calibre.
It was also learned that Willingham is pending a physical in Minnesota which could the last step in both stakeholders officially signing and announcing the deal.
The deal could also be pending for one other reason which Willingham’s agent, Matt Sosnick, confirmed to be what was the team waiting for a final answer by their player, Michael Cuddyer, after offering him a three-year, $24 million deal, which is not expected
to be signed by the player meaning that he could be out soon.
By ousting Cuddyer, the Twins are also seen to be opening the door and releasing outfielder, Jason Kubel, who at the moment is a free agent of the team, giving them compensation in the form of three draft picks in the future.
"I don't think you want to get on anybody's timetable but your own," Minnesota Twins general manager, Terry Ryan, said. "It's important that we make sure we do everything in our ability to try to get a person to play that position [right field] that we like."
Cuddyer is believed to be seeking a contract which would be three or more years in duration along with being worth at the least $10 million annually.
“I don’t have a deal with anybody, so I guess I’ve got an open door,” Ryan added. “I’m still looking for a corner outfielder.”
Developments on the issue are expected within the next few days if not sooner.
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