Top 10 Free Agent Signings in Texas Rangers History

#2- Rafael Palmeiro (from Baltimore Orioles, 1999-2003)

Rafael Palmeiro started his MLB career in 1986 when he was a member of the Chicago Cubs.  After three seasons with the Cubs and one all-star appearance, Palmeiro was traded to Texas.  Palmeiro played five seasons and one more all-star appearance in Texas before he signed a free agency deal with Baltimore.  He played five seasons in Baltimore and one additional all-star appearance before signing as a free agent with the Rangers.  Palmeiro played five more seasons in Texas before he returned to Baltimore as a free agent, playing two years and then retiring at the age of 40.

On December 4, 1998, Rafael Palmeiro returned for a second tour of Texas when he signed a free agent deal to play for the Rangers.  According to baseball-reference.com, Palmeiro earned a salary of just over $8.8M during the first year of his deal.  During his five seasons with Texas, Palmeiro earned just over $44M.  In 1999, at age 34, Palmeiro represented Texas in his 4th and final all-star game.  During his entire 10 seasons with Texas, Palmeiro played 1,573 games, had 1,692 hits, 321 doubles, 321 home runs, 1,039 RBI’s, a .290 BA, and a .378 OBP.

For his MLB career, Palmeiro played 2,831 games, had 3,020 hits, 585 doubles, 569 home runs, 1,835 RBI’s, a .288 BA, and a .371 OBP.  Not only was Palmeiro a four-time all-star, he was a three-time Gold Glove Award winner, and won the Silver Slugger Award on two occasions.