Outfielder Carlos Lee, one of the top free agents on the market, has signed with the Houston Astros, a source close to the negotiations said Friday.

Lee signed a US$100-million, six-year deal with the Astros, the source told The Associated Press. Lee, a two-time all-star left-fielder who played with the Texas Rangers and Milwaukee Brewers last season, is coming off his fifth straight season with at least 30 home runs and 99 RBIs.

The Astros have scheduled an afternoon news conference. General manager Tim Purpura declined to comment.

Houston went into the off-season looking to upgrade an offence that finished last in the NL in batting average and struggled to score runs despite the presence of all-star first baseman Lance Berkman, who had 45 homers and 136 RBIs and finished third in NL MVP voting.

Lee hit 28 homers in 102 games for the Brewers before the Rangers picked him up before the trade deadline in July. His power numbers dipped after that, but he finished with combined totals of 37 home runs and 116 RBIs. He hit .300, including .322 in 59 games with the Rangers.

Texas grabbed Lee in a six-player trade with plans to contend for the AL West title and sign him to a long-term deal, but neither happened.

Lee's signing was the third major free agent loss for the Rangers in the last two weeks. Mark DeRosa, a valuable starter at several positions, signed with the Chicago Cubs, and all-star centre-fielder Gary Matthews Jr. signed a US$50-million, five-year deal with the Los Angeles Angels this week.

© The Canadian Press, 2007