Nashville, Tenn. ? Power-hitting outfielder Jose Guillen and the Kansas City Royals reached an agreement on a $36 million, three-year contract.

The 31-year-outfielder batted .290 with 23 homers and 99 RBIs for the Seattle Mariners this year. Seattle declined its $9 million option, and Guillen turned down a $5 million player option, receiving a $500,000 buyout.

The agreement was subject to him passing a physical, a person familiar with the negotiations said Tuesday, speaking on condition of anonymity because no announcement had been made.

“We have the obvious need of adding right-handed power to our lineup,” new Royals manager Trey Hillman said.

The San Francisco Chronicle reported last month that Guillen bought nearly $20,000 worth of steroids and human growth hormone from 2003-05. Major League Baseball began testing for steroids in 2003, and penalties for first offenses began in 2005. HGH was banned in January 2005.

“We told the commissioner’s office my version of this whole affair, which in some ways has been handled with some errors in the media,” Guillen was quoted as saying by ESPNdeportes.com.

Guillen, who can play right or left, joins a crowded outfield. David DeJesus is in center, and the Royals already have Emil Brown in left and Mark Teahen in right. Teahen, however, also can play first base.

Hillman said Guillen would slot into the middle of the order if the deal is finalized. He wasn’t too concerned about which outfield spot Guillen would play.

Tigers trade for Bautista

Nashville, Tenn. – Denny Bautista was acquired by the Detroit Tigers from the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday in a swap of right-handed pitchers. The Rockies received Jose Capellan, once considered a top prospect with Atlanta.

Bonds looking for lawyer

San Francisco – Barry Bonds’ first date with a federal judge is Friday, when he is expected to plead not guilty to perjury and obstruction of justice charges, but the slugger still has yet to assemble his full legal team.

Tigers deal for Cabrera, Willis

Nashville, Tenn. – The Detroit Tigers reached a preliminary agreement Tuesday to acquire Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis from the Florida Marlins for a package of six players, an unexpected blockbuster trade that developed quickly at the winter meetings.

In a huge deal that took the spotlight away from Boston’s pursuit of Johan Santana, Florida gets lefty Andrew Miller, outfielder Cameron Maybin and four other prospects from the Tigers, a baseball official with knowledge of the talks said on condition of anonymity because the trade had not yet been finalized.

Braves acquire reliever

Nashville, Tenn.- The Atlanta Braves acquired reliever Will Ohman and infielder Omar Infante from the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday for pitcher Jose Ascanio. A left-handed specialist, Ohman went 2-4 with a 4.95 ERA and one save this season for Chicago. He made 56 appearances out of the bullpen, throwing 361â3 innings.

Big pact awaits Peavy

San Diego – When he returns from a hunting trip, NL Cy Young winner Jake Peavy will bag the biggest contract by far in San Diego Padres history. Once the deal is finalized, the right-hander will be guaranteed $52 million from a three-year extension that will run from 2010-12.