Free-agent outfielder Frank Catalanotto has agreed to a US$13-million, three-year deal to return to the Texas Rangers after playing the last four seasons for the Toronto Blue Jays.
The deal includes a team option for a fourth year, and was confirmed by a Rangers official who spoke on condition of anonymity because the contract is pending a physical that is expected to be conducted Tuesday.
Catalanotto hit .300 and scored 56 runs in 128 games for the Blue Jays this season, with seven home runs and 56 RBIs.
He fell out of the Blue Jays' plans after they signed slugger Frank Thomas to play at DH earlier this week.
Catalanotto initially was acquired by the Rangers in a November 1999 trade that sent two-time AL MVP Juan Gonzalez to Detroit. Catalanotto spent three seasons in Texas, but wasn't tendered a contract after being limited to 69 games because of injury in 2002.
