"Free-agent right-hander Frank Francisco is likely to accept the Rangers' offer of salary arbitration, giving the team additional late-inning relief options, major-league sources say.

Francisco, 31, is a Type A free agent. By accepting arbitration, he'd opt for a one-year, non-guaranteed contract with a near-certain raise from his 2010 salary of $3.265 million.

Other teams have shown interest in Francisco as a closer. However, in recent years, clubs have been reluctant to surrender a high draft pick for Type A relievers who aren't established ninth-inning specialists.

Of the 14 Type A free agents offered arbitration, right-handers Jason Frasor and Grant Balfour are the most similar to Francisco. Both could accept arbitration, returning to the Blue Jays and Rays, respectively."