Beltran, Cardinals agree to two-year deal

Carlos Beltran and the world champion St. Louis Cardinals have agreed to a two-year contract pending results of a physical, fortifying their lineup after the departure of Albert Pujols.

The team disclosed the move Thursday night and said it expects to make a formal announcement shortly after the holidays. Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said in a statement: "It is going to be nice to have his bat and competitive nature working for us instead of on the other side of the field for the next couple of years."

KMOX, the Cardinals' flagship radio station, reported the deal is for $26 million for two years. A person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press that figure is correct.

Beltran, 34, batted .300 with 22 home runs, 84 RBIs and a .385 on-base percentage for the Mets and San Francisco Giants in 2011. He likely will be the Opening Day rightfielder for the Cardinals next season. Lance Berkman is expected to move to first base, taking Pujols' spot.

Gio: I'm being sent to Nats

All-Star pitcher Gio Gonzalez said the Washington Nationals have agreed to acquire him from the Oakland Athletics and that the deal is nearly finished.

"It's 99 percent done," Gonzalez said. "It's pending a physical and I'm just waiting to hear from my agent." ESPN.com first reported the swap.

Gonzalez would give the Nats the reliable starter they've been seeking for two years to go along with Stephen Strasburg and Jordan Zimmermann.

Oakland reportedly will receive four players in the deal, including three top prospects: righthanders A.J. Cole and Brad Peacock, lefty Tom Milone and catcher Derek Norris. The Nationals will receive minor- league righthander Rob Gilliam.

Gonzalez, 26, went 16-12 in 2011 -- a career high for wins after he earned 15 in 2010 -- with a 3.12 ERA in 32 starts.

Bonds appealing

Barry Bonds is officially appealing his felony obstruction conviction. His attorneys paid $455 and filed a one-sentence notice to the federal trial court late Wednesday, saying that Bonds is asking the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeal to toss out his conviction. The case will be randomly assigned to a three-judge panel later.

Bonds was sentenced Friday to 30 days of house arrest, two years of probation and a $4,000 fine. He was convicted of giving evasive answers to a grand jury investigating a Northern California-based steroids distribution ring.