Matt Capps

Ronald Blum of the Associated Press reports that Matt Capps will receive $4.5 million from the Twins in 2012, and the Twins have a $6 million option with a $250,000 buyout for 2013.

It’s a little steep, but at least it’s only one guaranteed year. If Capps bounces back as the Twins expect him to, he’ll probably be worth $4.5 million. The right-hander fell out of favor during a down 2011 season, posting a 4.25 ERA while blowing nine saves.

Jon Heyman of SI.com reports that Matt Capps has re-signed with the Twins on a one-year deal that includes an option for 2013.

It’s not clear if the Twins plan on using him as their closer, but he would probably be the top in-house option at this point. Capps posted a disappointing 4.25 ERA, nine blown saves and a 34/13 K/BB ratio over 65 2/3 innings in 2011, but he’s just a year removed from an All-Star season. Giving him a year plus an option isn’t a bad move if the financials are reasonable.

Steve Popper of the the Bergen Record reports that Matt Capps is expected to re-sign with the Twins.

It’s not being reported anywhere else, so we’d hold off on etching this one in stone. Capps suffered through a rough 2011 season that saw him blow nine saves, but he’s been reliable in the past and the Twins might view him as their best option for the ninth inning now that Joe Nathan is out of town.

Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald reports that the Red Sox are no longer interested in free agent reliever Matt Capps.

Capps reportedly wants a three-year deal and would like to close, though it’s unclear if he’ll be able to get either of those things guaranteed to him. The Blue Jays and Angels are said to have interest, and the Twins haven’t ruled out bringing him back.

Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun reports that the Blue Jays have contacted the agents for free agent closers Matt Capps and Francisco Cordero.

The Blue Jays have cast a wide net in their search for a closer, even exploring trades for Huston Street of the Rockies and Andrew Bailey of the Athletics. Elliott writes that Heath Bell is “the best fit for the Jays as he is the best on the market,” though the level of their interest isn’t clear. The 34-year-old right-hander is reportedly seeking a three-year deal.

According to Mike Puma of the New York Post, Matt Capps’ agent Paul Kinzer said he hasn’t heard from the Mets since the general managers’ meetings earlier this month.

The Mets had previously told him that they had “possible” interest, but they are playing their offseason plans pretty close to the vest. We should learn a lot more over the next week as teams prepare for the Winter Meetings. Capps has drawn interest from multiple teams this offseason, including the Angels, Red Sox and Twins.

Matt Capps will not be offered arbitration by the Twins.

Capps earned $7.15 million this season while posting a disappointing 4.25 ERA, nine blown saves and a 34/13 K/BB ratio over 65 2/3 innings. While the Twins didn’t want to risk the chance that he would accept arbitration, they are still interested in bringing him back at a lesser salary. The new CBA bumped Capps from a Type A free agent to a Type B and while the Twins didn’t offer him arbitration, they would receive a sandwich pick if he signs with another team.

Twins general manager Terry Ryan acknowledged Tuesday that he hasn’t dismissed bringing Matt Capps back as closer.

“Yeah, he’d be an option,” said Ryan. “We know he had a difficult year last year, but he certainly was good two years ago.” Capps, 28, posted a 4.25 ERA and blown nine saves this season, but the Twins might be willing to give him another chance now that Joe Nathan has signed with the Rangers. According to John Shipley of The Pioneer Press, the two sides spoke Tuesday morning.

According to Alex Speier of WEEI.com, the Red Sox have checked in on Matt Capps.

The Twins and Mets are also among the teams who have expressed interest in the free agent reliever. Capps, 28, posted a 4.25 ERA and blow nine saves this season, so Speier speculates that he could be willing to take a one-year deal in hopes to rebuilding his value and testing free agency again next winter. It’s not known if the Red Sox view him as a potential option at closer.