Berkman, Rangers agrees to $10 million deal

First baseman Lance Berkman agreed to a one-year, $10 million contract with the Texas Rangers, ESPN reported Saturday.

The deal could reportedly include a second year if Berkman gets at least 550 at-bats this year.

Rangers CEO Nolan Ryan told Fox26 Sports in Houston on Friday that the club made Berkman an offer.

"We are looking for a designated hitter and we feel like that he certainly would fill that bill," Ryan said.

Berkman turns 37 next month. He had two right-knee surgeries in 2012 and played just 32 games for the St. Louis Cardinals. He batted .259 with two home runs and seven RBI in 81 at-bats.

"In a way, they have to buy me out of retirement, and I know that sounds crass -- I wish it didn't -- but it's a big commitment, it can put a strain on the family," Berkman told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch earlier in the week. "If I'm going to play, I'm going to give my heart and soul to the team. But if the carrot's not big enough, the mule isn't going to want to go."

Healthy in 2011, Berkman batted .301 with 31 home runs and 94 RBI with a .959 OPS as the Cardinals won the World Series.