ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Rangers have signed outfielder Josh Hamilton to a two-year, $24 million contract that encompasses both of his remaining arbitration years.
Hamilton is coming off an AL MVP season in which he hit 32 homers and had 100 RBIs to go along with a .359 batting average.
He gets a $3 million signing bonus, a $7.25 million salary this year and $13.75 million in 2012.
Hamilton made $3.25 million last season, when the Rangers went to the World Series for the first time in franchise history. When the sides exchange proposed arbitration salaries last month, Hamilton had asked for $12 million, $3.3 million more than Texas had offered. But after more discussions, they were able to bridge the gap before a hearing scheduled for Tuesday.
It has been 11 years since the Rangers went to an arbitration hearing with a player.
Hamilton said Monday that the club had thrown out the two-year contract possibility and that both sides were having better talks.
"If two years gets done, it's a plus and takes some of the stress off and this whole situation doesn't have to happen next year," Hamilton said Monday.
The new deal doesn't have to keep the two sides from talking about a longer-term deal, but it does mean they aren't under any pressure right now to do it.
Hamilton, who turns 30 in May, said earlier this week that he's gained back the 10 pounds that he lost during a bout with pneumonia in January. Hamilton spent six days in the hospital receiving treatment, but said he feels better and is working out in preparation for spring training.
Hamilton said he weighs 233 pounds but would like to gain five to seven more pounds.
"The reason I'd like to be heavier is you obviously lose weight when you play here in the summer months," Hamilton said Monday.
Rangers pitchers and catchers report to Surprise, Ariz., next Wednesday. The first full-squad workout is Feb. 20.
Information from The Associated Press and ESPNDallas.com's Richard Durrett was used in this report.
