Top 10 Free Agent Signings in Texas Rangers History

#6- Alex Rodriguez (from Seattle Mariners, 2001-2003)

Alex Rodriguez started his MLB career at age 18 during the 1994 season.  Rodriguez spent seven years playing SS for the Seattle Mariners.  He was granted free agency after the 2000 season and signed what was the biggest contract in MLB history when he signed a 10-year $252M contract with the Rangers.  After three seasons in Texas, the Rangers traded Rodriguez to the New York Yankees.  Rodriguez played his final 12 seasons for the Yankees before retiring at age 40.

On January 26, 2001, the Rangers made history when they signed Alex Rodriguez to a free agent contract.  According to baseball-reference.com, the Rangers paid Rodriguez $22M annually for the three years he played in Texas.  Rodriguez represented Texas in the all-star game all three years he played for the Rangers.  During the three seasons in Texas, Rodriguex played 485 games, had 569 hits, scored 382 runs, had 91 doubles, 156 home runs, 395 RBI’s, hit for a .305 BA, and a .395 OBP.

For his career, Rodriguez played 2,784 games in 22 seasons, had 3,115 hits, scored 2,021 runs, had 548 doubles, 696 home runs, 2,086 RBI’s, had a .295 BA, and a .380 OBP.  Rodriguez played in 14 all-star games, was a World Series champion in 2009, a three-time AL MVP, a two-time Gold Glove Award winner, a ten-time Silver Slugger Award winner, four-time AL Hank Aaron Award winner, MLB batting champion in 1996, five-time AL home run leader, and two-time MLB RBI leader.