Josh Willingham

According to Joe Christensen of the Star-Tribune, Josh Willingham is in Minneapolis for his physical.

The Twins have reportedly agreed to a three-year, $21 million contract with the 32-year-old free agent outfielder, but they’re putting him through two days of physical exams and won’t make the contract official until he passes. Willingham posted an .810 OPS with 29 home runs and 98 RBI in 136 games this past season for the A’s.

Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports that the Twins and Josh Willingham are “very close” to a three-year, $21 million contract.

If true, he would be cheaper than what they would have paid to retain Michael Cuddyer. While it’s not a done deal like ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick reported earlier in the evening Tuesday, the two sides are nearing an agreement. Willingham, who turns 33 in February, batted .246/.332/.477 with 29 home runs, 98 RBI and an .810 OPS in 136 games with the A’s this past season. He would presumably be the Twins’ starting left fielder in 2012.

Updating a previous item, Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune was told by Twins’ officials that a deal with free agent Josh Willingham isn’t done yet.

This confirms what was reported by Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com earlier Tuesday evening. The two sides could just be dotting the dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s, but Christensen adds that talks with Michael Cuddyer aren’t dead yet. Stay tuned.

ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick reports that the Twins and Josh Willingham have agreed to a contract, pending a physical.

We’re still awaiting details on the contract, though Crasnick hears that it’s a multi-year deal. Willingham, who turns 33 in February, batted .246/.332/.477 with 29 home runs, 98 RBI and an .810 OPS in 136 games this past season. Under the terms of the new CBA agreement, the Twins will not need to surrender a draft pick in order to sign him. His addition should create a domino effect among the remaining high-profile free agent outfielders.

According to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com, Josh Willingham “appears headed” to the Twins.

No word on the terms, but it’s likely less than the reported three-year, $24 million offer for Michael Cuddyer. Both are very similar players, but the benefit of Cuddyer signing elsewhere is that the Twins will receive two picks as compensation. Willingham, who turns 33 in February, batted .246/.332/.477 with 29 home runs, 98 RBI and an .810 OPS in 136 games this past season for the A’s.

Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports that the Twins are nearing an agreement with free agent outfielder Josh Willingham.

Willingham is expected to make a decision within the next 48 hours and with the Indians effectively out of the mix, it appears an agreement should happen quickly. His addition would mean that Michael Cuddyer and Jason Kubel will almost certainly be playing elsewhere next season. Stay tuned.

Indians general manager Mark Shapiro indicated Tuesday that he doesn’t see Josh Willingham as a fit defensively.

“Willingham’s bat a perfect fit but defensive fit was not good,” Shapiro wrote in response to a Tweet. Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reported Tuesday afternoon that the Indians weren’t “entirely out” on Willingham, but it’s unlikely Shapiro would write something like that if he had any intention of signing him. The Twins appear to be the favorites to land the 32-year-old.