{ Signing } Josh Willingham

[tandrpaving]

The Minnesota Twins have agreed to sign outfielder Josh Willingham to a multi-year contract. More details to follow.

Fantasy spin: Willingham drove in 98 runs in 2011 and should be a good bet to produce similar numbers in the American League. Worth a flyer in the last few rounds of your drafts.

[tandrpaving]

Update: They had reportedly agreed to sign Willingham, but now they say they are "close" to signing him.

[Gripnrip13]

Josh Willingham is a solid power hitter who will be a cheap source of power in fantasy leagues. It's a good bet he won't hit 29 home runs again in his career, but he is more than capable of 25 homers, 80 RBIs and a .250 average. He has four 20+ homer seasons since 2006 and thrived last year while playing half his games in Oakland's stadium, a notorious pitcher's park. That being said, his walks dropped dramatically last year and his strikeouts went up. A less disciplined approach at the plate is not what you want to see from a player in his thirties (33 in 2012), as it can be a sign of future decline. But it's just one year, so it's not a major worry.

[tandrpaving]

The deal is expected to be announced today. Willingham gets three years and $21 million.