NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Just because Jose Guillen is penciled into the Royals' lineup, don't give up on Andruw Jones' name appearing there as well.
The Royals and Guillen apparently have agreed to a three-year, $36-million contract but the club cannot confirm the deal pending the outfielder passing a physical examination. That could take place on Wednesday.
Guillen fills a top priority set by the Royals coming into the Winter Meetings: a right-handed power hitter for the middle of the lineup. Yet general manager Dayton Moore might be trying to snag two sluggers instead of one.
Jones, a free agent from the Atlanta Braves, is still on the market and Moore is believed to be still in that hunt as well.
After an open forum with reporters on Tuesday afternoon, new manager Trey Hillman was asked if the Royals wanted Jones after already securing Guillen.
"I don't think there's anything that's going to be a stopping [point] because of satisfaction with something. It won't be coming finalized," Hillman said, deftly avoiding a yes or no answer.
"The only thing I can say without compromising my loyalities is that the aggressiveness [by Moore] is extremely exciting and refreshing."
A sticking point apparently is that Jones' agent, Scott Boras, is seeking a five-year contract for Jones that would exceed the $90 million lavished on Torii Hunter by the Angels.
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From MLB.com