Even with A.J. Pierzynski set to turn 37 later this month, the Minnesota Twins could find it difficult to lure their former catcher without a multiyear offer.

“I’d be extremely shocked if he doesn’t get at least two years,” a baseball operations person from an American League club said Monday afternoon. “I don’t see him ending up there (Minnesota) if they’re only going to give him one year.”

A major league team official closely monitoring Pierzynski’s free agency went even further, stating Monday evening that Pierzynski is “not going there” despite recent reports suggesting a reunion with the Twins was in the offing.

At least two other clubs are “in the mix,” the official said, but the Twins are not among them.

The market for starting catchers narrowed a little more Monday with Dioner Navarro’s decision to sign for $8 million over two years with the Toronto Blue Jays. The Twins had shown interest in Navarro as a possible mentor to holdover catching prospect Josmil Pinto, a fellow Venezuelan who turns 25 in March.

Navarro’s signing led to former first-round pick J.P. Arencibia being non-tendered before Monday night’s deadline. Coming off a miserable season, the power-hitting Arencibia had been projected to make $2.8 million through arbitration but now becomes a free agent.

The Twins also have inquired about Boston free agent Jarrod Saltalamacchia, who helped lead the Red Sox to a World Series title, as well as Pierzynski, whom they traded away 10 years ago last month. That deal with the Giants netted the Twins closer Joe Nathan and left-hander Francisco Liriano.

Asked about the Pierzynski talks late Monday afternoon, a Twins official said in a text message: “Nothing to report at this time.”

Though Pierzynski’s on-base percentage slipped to a career-low .297 this year in Texas — a hitter’s paradise — he managed to throw out a career-best 33 percent of attempted base stealers (24 of 73) while logging more than 1,000 innings behind the plate for a 12th straight season.

Boston reportedly remains interested in Pierzynski, who spent eight seasons with the Chicago White Sox (2005-2012), winning a World Series title in his first season on the South Side.

The AL baseball operations person works for a team that has investigated signing Pierzynski, who made $7.5 million this season on a one-year deal with Texas. The Rangers are not attempting to bring him back after signing Geovany Soto, who is six years younger.

“I’m sure he’s waiting for the highest bidder: Who’s going to give him the most years?” the baseball operations person said of Pierzynski. “I don’t blame him. Somebody is going to give him at least two years. There’s such a shortage of catching. There’s just not much out there.”

In recent weeks the New York Yankees guaranteed $85 million over five years to Brian McCann and the Philadelphia Phillies spent $26 million over three years to retain free agent Carlos Ruiz.

Teams are concerned about Saltalamacchia’s lower back, which bothered him down the stretch with the Red Sox. That perception, which his agent went on Boston radio to deny in recent weeks, could keep the 28-year-old switch-hitter from getting the three-year, $30 million contract he reportedly seeks.

“Pierzynski to Boston makes a lot of sense,” the baseball operations person said. “He’s probably trying to get three years out of them.”

A third-round pick in 1994 out of Orlando’s Dr. Phillips High School, Pierzynski spent parts of six seasons with the Twins (1998-2003). the last three as their primary catcher. He helped the team claim American League Central titles in his final two seasons in the Twin Cities before giving way to hometown product Joe Mauer behind the plate.

The Twins announced on Nov. 11 that Mauer would move to first base full-time next season after taking nearly two months to recover from an Aug. 19 concussion.

As for how much Pierzynski has left at this stage of his career, this particular AL team was encouraged by its findings.

“We thought there was enough there,” the baseball operations person said. “He’s a tough guy, a dirt bag. Wherever he goes, he wins.”

Follow Mike Berardino at twitter.com/MikeBerardino.