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Update 11/20: Javier Lopez's deal will be for thee years, Jon Heyman of CBS reports via twitter.
Original Report: The San Francisco Giants are close to re-signing left-handed reliever Javier Lopez to a multi-year contract, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com. The team's assistant general manager Bobby Evans confirmed that the sides were "very close to a deal" in an appearance on MLB Network Radio with Jim Bowden.
Evans in deal with Javier Lopez "We are clear in base salary and years and working on the others parts of the deal right now" XM 89
— JIM BOWDEN (@JimBowdenESPNxm) November 19, 2013
After locking up pending free agents Hunter Pence and Tim Lincecum before they hit the open market, the Giants expressed that they were very interested in bringing Lopez back as well. According to CSNBayArea.com's Andrew Baggarly, the left-hander also has drawn serious interest from the Yankees and Nationals, but is almost certain to return to San Francisco, where he has spent the last three and a half seasons.
In 69 appearances with the Giants in 2013, the 36-year old Lopez was dominant, pitching to a 1.83 ERA in 39.1 innings of work. For his eleven-year major league career with the Rockies (2003-2005), Red Sox (2006-2009), Pirates (2010) and Giants (2010-2013), Lopez is the owner of a career 27-13 record and 3.64 ERA in 629 appearances.
With Lopez seemingly off the board, teams looking for left-handed relief help will have to turn elsewhere. Available southpaws include Mike Gonzalez, J.P. Howell, Boone Logan, Manny Parra, Oliver Perez and Matt Thornton.
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