ARLINGTON, Texas — Juan Gonzalez agreed Tuesday night to a $24 million, two-year contract with the Texas Rangers.

        Gonzalez, who turned down two-year offers from the New York Mets and Baltimore, rejoins the team with which he started his major-league career.

        The deal with Texas calls for a $2 million signing bonus, $10 million this year and $12 million in 2003. The Rangers will defer $4million of his salary this year and $6.5 million next season.

        Gonzalez turned down a $25million, two-year offer from the Mets, who up until Tuesday night thought they had a chance to land the free agent outfielder. The Rangers' offer to Gonzalez was comparable to the bid by the Mets because Texas does not have a state income tax.

        “We still think we have the best offer on the table,” Mets co-owner Fred Wilpon said. “We wish him luck in Texas. I think he would have been great with the Mets.”

        Texas said the deal is contingent on Gonzalez passing a physical, an exam expected to take place in the next few days.

        Gonzalez, 32, won the AL MVP award with the Rangers in 1996 and 1998, then was traded to Detroit in November 1999. Following a down year with the Tigers in which his back bothered him, Gonzalez rebounded to hit .325 for Cleveland last year with 35 homers and a team-high 140 RBI.

        Two years ago, Gonzalez turned down a $143 million, eight-year extension offered by the Tigers. Gonzalez switched agents after the season and John Hart, then Cleveland's general manager, signed the outfielder to a $10million, one-year contract.

        Hart left the Indians after the 2001 season to become GM of the Rangers and has put the team through a busy transformation following a disastrous season. Despite signing Alex Rodriguez to a record $252 million, 10-year contract in December 2000, Texas went 73-89, finishing last in the AL West, 43 games behind the division-winning Seattle Mariners.

        Texas signed Chan Ho Park to a $65 million, five-year deal to be its top pitcher. The Rangers also acquired pitchers John Rocker, Dave Burba, Todd Van Poppel and Jay Powell during the offseason.

        Starter Darren Oliver was traded to Boston for outfielder Carl Everett and former 20-game winner Rick Helling became a free agent last month when he wasn't offered a new contract.

        YANKEES:

        Luis Sojo agreed to a minor-league contract and was invited to spring training as a non-roster player. He would get a $350,000, one-year contract if he makes the major league roster.

        During much of last season, he had said he might retire.

        “He wants to end his career as a Yankee,” New York general manager Brian Cashman said. “If he doesn't make the club, he'll retire — that's what they're telling me.”

        Sojo, 36, hit .165 with nine RBI in 39 games last season. , going 13-for-79. He was a member of the Yankees' World Series championship teams in 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2000.

        REDS:

        Former team CEO Marge Schott knew nothing about the loan from Minnesota Twins owner Carl Pohlad's firm to Bud Selig's Milwaukee Brewers club until a reporter informed her of it Tuesday night.

        Schott was in charge of the Reds in 1995 when the $3 million loan was made. According to baseball rules, all owners would have had to approve it.

        Schott said she didn't.

        “That's complete news to me,” she said. “I never did hear anything about it.”

        • Infielder-outfielder Pete Rose Jr. was signed to a minor-league contract.

        ASTROS:

        The team hopes to reach a multiyear agreement with closer Billy Wagner by today.
       “Hopefully, we can wrap this up tomorrow,” Astros owner Drayton McLane said.

        The Astros have offered Wagner , one of the game's top closers, a $25 million, three-year deal that includes an $8 million club option for 2005 with a $1 million buyout, the Houston Chronicle reported Tuesday.

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