Despite an Associated Press report that says the Rays have reached a "preliminary agreement" on a one-year contract with free-agent outfielder Cliff Floyd, but the team said this afternoon that that negotiations are ongoing.

"Nothing is signed," Rays spokeman Rick Vaughn said.

However, it's still believed the deal -- which would pay Floyd $3 million and include a team option for 2009 -- is close, and that it could be announced early next week. Sometimes with older players -- Floyd is 35 -- the finer details can get sticky.

Multiple calls and emails to Sam and Seth Levinson, Floyd's agents, after the past three days have gone unreturned.