DALLAS -- Making a major push at the winter meetings, the Texas Rangers agreed Sunday to contracts with former National League MVP Ken Caminiti and right-hander Mark Petkovsek.

Petkovsek got a $4.9 million, two-year deal and Caminiti a one-year, $3 million contract with performance clauses that could increase the deal to $6.8 million and trigger a deal that would be worth $20.9 million over three seasons.

The three-time All-Star gets a $250,000 signing bonus and $3 million salary, and the chance to earn $3.55 million in performance bonuses. The option years, which could become guaranteed, are worth $7.05 million each, meaning Caminiti could earn $20.9 million over three years.

"I do have a fire in my belly to play this game," said Caminiti, the 1996 NL MVP with San Diego. "I don't know what happened the last couple of years."

Caminiti, a 37-year-old third baseman and three-time Gold Glove winner, returned to the Houston Astros from San Diego last season and hit .303 in 59 games this year with 15 homers and 45 RBI, missing the final 97 games of the season after rupturing a tendon sheath in his right wrist.

He also was sought by the Cleveland Indians, looking for offense to replace the possible loss of Manny Ramirez. Indians manager John Hart said Caminiti chose Texas to be closer to his children.

	Falling Off
	Ken Caminiti's offensive production has decreased each season since he won the NL MVP award in 1996. His 59 games in 2000 were his fewest since 1988, his 2nd year in the league, and his 45 RBI were also his lowest total since 1988. All this just 5 years after reaching career highs in batting average, homers and RBI during that MVP year in '96
		Games	RBI
	2000	59	45
	1999	78	56
	1998	131	82
	1997	137	90
	1996*	146	130
	* National League MVP

"We had some heart-to-heart discussions," Rangers manager Johnny Oates said. "I think he has a lot to prove, not only to himself, but to a lot of baseball people."

He left his hometown Astros in the last month of the season to undergo evaluation for chemical dependency.

"I mentioned retirement a lot of times the last couple of years. I was frustrated," he said. "My relapse turned me around. To be honest and frank, when you open your eyes and look in the mirror, that can be positive."

He became a free agent after Houston declined a $5.5 million option, deciding to give him a $500,000 buyout.

"My shoulder feels good. My wrist feels great," Caminiti said. "I'm running. My legs are in shape."

He takes the spot of 25-year-old Mike Lamb, who hit .278 with six homers and 47 RBI in 493 at-bats.

Petkovsek was 4-2 with a 4.22 ERA and two saves last season for Anaheim, making 63 relief appearances and one start. He was 16-6 in two seasons with the Angels.

He gets a $100,000 signing bonus, $2 million in 2001 and $2.4 million in 2002. Texas holds options for 2003 and 2004 with $400,000 buyouts. If the options are exercised, the deal would be worth $9.9 million over four seasons.

Petkovsek lives in Beaumont, Texas, and pitched three seasons for the University of Texas.

Texas was ninth in the American League in runs scored last season after trading away Juan Gonzalez and losing Todd Zeile to free agency.