Yuniesky Betancourt nearing major-league deal?

Veteran infielder Yuniesky Betancourt is drawing interest from four clubs and could be finalizing a major-league deal with one of those clubs shortly, his agent told MLB Trade Rumors:

"I can assure you that Yuni will be signing a Major League contract. Currently, there are four teams we are in conversations with and we expect to be finalizing a deal shortly after the holidays," [agent Alex] Esteban said.

Betancourt, 30, began the 2012 season back with the Kansas City Royals after one season away in Milwaukee. The veteran middle infielder actually took on the starting role at second base for KC a lot of the year -- missing the month of May to injury -- but was eventually released in August when his offensive numbers dipped to .228/.256/.400.

Betancourt has never been a great hitter -- he owns a career 82 OPS+ -- but his power numbers have risen in the last few years, which could make him a nice pinch-hitting option for an National League team in a steadily dwindling free-agent market for position players.

Now an eight-year MLB veteran, Betancourt is a career .266/.290/.392 hitter with 67 home runs -- 36 of them coming the last three seasons.