"The future destination of catcher A.J. Pierzynski is unknown, however a return to the Chicago White Sox appears doubtful. The durable receiver appears more likely to end up with a one- or two-year deal from one of three American League clubs. Teams that have shown interest include the New York Yankees, Texas Rangers and Tampa Bay Rays.

The White Sox will be maxed out in payroll at close to $110 million once they sign arbitration-eligible players Gordon Beckham and Alejandro De Aza. That will put the club in a position of having to trade a salary in order to fit Pierzynski's projected $9 million or $10 million salary into the budget. For that reason alone the premise of the 35-year-old backstop seems remote.

Pierzynski is coming off of a career year in home runs (27) and RBIs (77), so he appears deserving of a two-year deal at $18 million to $20 million. Former Yankees catcher Russell Martin signed a two-year contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates for $18 million after hitting just .213 in 2012. That contract alone puts Pierzynski in a position to sign a multiyear deal with a contender.