The Rangers hope Andres Galarraga finds his 40-homer stroke in Texas.(AP)

Galarraga agreed to a one-year, $6 million deal, according to sources, with the chance to make more in incentives. The Rangers also have an option on Galarraga for the 2002 season for $7.25 million.

"We wanted to add a bat that would give us some RBI and home run potential, something we sorely missed last year," said Rangers general manager Doug Melvin. "Adding that to the middle of the lineup along with Rafael Palmeiro and Pudge Rodriguez will help get us back to the home run production we had before last year."

Galarraga said he's glad to be going to Texas.

I'm happy and excited," he said. "I think it is a great organization and I look forward to playing with the Rangers. I'm excited about going to the American League."

Galarraga is expected to become the Rangers' primary designated hitter, with Palmeiro remaining as the first baseman.

"I think it will be good for him at this point of his career," Melvin said. "He won't have to go stand in the Texas heat we all hear about."

The Rangers spoke with Palmeiro before signing Galarraga, both to help them in their background check and to assure Palmeiro that he is still their guy at first base. Palmeiro was so in favor of the idea that he and Galarraga have a golf date Saturday in Puerto Rico, according to Melvin. p>"I think it is going to be a great combination with Rafael and me," Galarraga said. "I'm just looking to help my team. I don't mind at all being the designated hitter."

Galarraga, 39, has played with four other clubs in a career that started in 1985 -- Montreal, St. Louis, Colorado and Atlanta -- and arrives in Texas with a reputation as a great guy to have in the clubhouse. Melvin noted that Friday.

"Last year, we had 13 rookies on our roster," Melvin said. "He's the kind of individual, I think, who will help make those younger players better and maybe take a little pressure off of them."

Galarraga, who easily was the comeback story of the year in the National League after returning from cancer last summer, batted .302 with 28 homers and 100 RBI for the Braves.

But he hit many of his homers in the season's first two months and wasn't as consistent as the Braves would have liked later.

And the Braves, who also are actively attempting to trade outfielder Brian Jordan, are investigating various ways to clear some payroll to make room for free agent shortstop Alex Rodriguez.

The Associated Press contributed to this report