The deal for Rogers, who pitched a perfect game for Texas in 1994, is contingent of him passing a physical. The 39-year-old left-hander would get $2.5 million this season and $3.5 million in 2005 for his third stint with the team — he also pitched for the Rangers for 1989-95 and 2000-02.
Nelson signed a $1.5 million, one-year deal Monday after passing his physical.
Rogers’ popularity with fans and his experience could make him the team’s opening-day starter. The rest of Texas’ rotation includes young players and Chan Ho Park, an expensive free agent signee who proved to be an injury-plagued bust.
Nelson, 37, was part of four World Series championships with the Yankees. He fulfills the need of a right-handed reliever, and has 12 years of experience to share with more young pitchers in the bullpen.
“It puts a veteran who has been around this league that has had years and years of success together with our young, growing kids,” Texas assistant general manager Grady Fuson said. “That’s a big ingredient as this club goes forward.”
The Rangers are coming off four straight last-place finishes in the AL West. The last three were with AL MVP Alex Rodriguez at shortstop, where he remains after trade talks with Boston ended last month.
Nelson was 4-2 with a 3.74 ERA in 70 games last season for Seattle and New York, returning to the Yankees in a trade last August. With the Rangers, he could earn an additional $300,000 in performance bonuses.
“This kind of reminds me of the 2003 Marlins that just won the World Series. Nobody thought they would win, and obviously I didn’t think they would beat us when I was back in New York last year,” Nelson said. “It also reminds me of the 2002 Anaheim Angels. It is a great young team and you have some good key veterans together.”
The Rangers, whose offseason signings have already included 36-year-old outfielders Brian Jordan and Eric Young, expect to finalize Rogers’ signing and reintroduce him Tuesday.
Rogers turned down a chance to return to Texas last season, then signed with Minnesota. He went 13-8 with a 4.57 ERA in 33 games.
His career record in Texas is 101-79 with a 4.18 ERA in a club-record 463 games, including 187 starts. He’s also played for the Mets, Yankees and Oakland Athletics.
