DALLAS -- The Texas Rangers, who have been one of the most aggressive clubs pursuing free agents this winter, became even more aggressive Sunday, signing third baseman Ken Caminiti and reliever Mark Petkovsek.
Caminiti, the National League MVP in 1996, signed a one-year deal with club options on 2002 and 2003 seasons. The total package could be worth as much as 9.5 million.
"I do have a fire in my belly to play this game," said Caminiti, the 1996
NL MVP with San Diego. "I don't know what happened the last couple of years."
Caminiti, 37, hit .303 in 59 games with the Astros last year with 15 homers and 45 RBI, missing the final 97 games of the season after rupturing a tendon sheath in his right wrist.
"We had some heart-to-heart discussions," Rangers manager Johnny Oates
said. "I think he has a lot to prove, not only to himself, but to a lot of
baseball people."
Petkovsek, who pitched for Anaheim the past two seasons, signed a two-year deal. He will earn $2.1 million in 2001 and $2.4 million in 2002. There are club options for 2003 and 2004.
Working mostly in middle relief for the Angels in 2000, Petkovsek, 35, went 4-2 with a 4.33 ERA. The Angels also were pursuing him.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
