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Lance Berkman Joins Rangers

Updated: Monday, January 7 2013, 10:40 PM CST
Lance Berkman is returning to his home state, but he won’t play for the Astros.

The Rangers signed Berkman to a two-year deal Monday after he passed a physical.  The first year is worth $10 million, the second a $12 million club option for 2014 that becomes $13 million guaranteed if he has 550 plate appearances this year.

"I spent the first part of the offseason really feeling like I was going to retire," said Berkman, who turns 37 next month and had still been working out as if he would play. "The Rangers made a very strong offer, which got my attention. The more I thought about it, the more excited I got about it, and that's when I knew I had to come back and play."

After losing Josh Hamilton, Michael Young and Mike Napoli to free agency, the Rangers were working to find a big bat for the middle.  Berkman provides that as a power-hitting switch-hitter.

"This to me is a natural fit, it does not feel weird at all," Berkman said of the Rangers.Lance Berkman Joins Rangers