MIAMI - Ivan Rodriguez says he's healthy, and the Florida Marlins must agree. The cost-conscious Marlins expanded their payroll Wednesday by signing the 10-time All-Star catcher to a $10 million, one-year contract.

"It was clear to me that this was a special opportunity. It was close to being a no-brainer," Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria said. "When you're dealing with a great and special opportunity and a special player, there are no parameters."

Rodriguez played 1,479 games with the Texas Rangers, hitting .303 with 215 homers and 829 RBIs and developing a reputation as one of the best catchers in baseball.

The Rangers refused to offer the 31-year-old Rodriguez salary arbitration last December in a payroll-slashing moving. Rodriguez received a $2 million severance payment from the team as the end of his previous contract.

Florida will pay Rodriguez $3 million this year, with the remainder deferred without interest. The deal also includes a no-trade clause and an agreement that the Marlins will not offer him salary arbitration after the season.

"If everything down the road goes well, I would like to stay with the Marlins," Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez missed nearly two months early last season because of a herniated disk in his back, but hit .314 with 19 homers and 60 RBIs in 108 games.

"My back is great, my knee is fine and I want everybody to know that I'm healthy," said Rodriguez, who will get to play his former team June 13-15 in Texas. "I'm back and I feel great.

"I am completely in good health and that's my main thing right now, and the Marlins are going to see it."

Rodriguez replaces sluggers Cliff Floyd and Preston Wilson in the middle of the lineup and will help develop Florida's young and talented starting rotation that includes right-handers A.J. Burnett, Brad Penny and Josh Beckett.

"He can do it all," Marlins manager Jeff Torborg said. "This guy will make our lineup look so different because he is exceptional player. I am amazed what he can do, both offensively and defensively."

The Marlins traded catcher Charles Johnson to Colorado in November as part of a six-player deal that brought left-hander Mike Hampton and outfielder Juan Pierre to Florida. Hampton was then traded to Atlanta.

Jim Beattie, Baltimore's executive vice president of baseball operations, had been trying to sign Rodriguez.

"I thought Ivan was a very good fit for us, playing in the AL, where he could be a designated hitter when he wasn't catching," Beattie said. "But he lives in Miami, and I'm sure those were among his considerations. We spent most of the day talking about a three-year deal, but I guess he wanted to go with more money and a shorter term."

YANKEES: Jon Lieber, recovering from major elbow surgery, has agreed to a $3.5million, two-year contract with New York.

Lieber went 20-6 in 2001 for the Chicago Cubs and was selected for the NL All-Star team. He had a ligament in his right elbow replaced Aug.7 and might not pitch this year. The deal also calls for a signing bonus.

WHITE SOX: Chicago bolstered its bullpen Wednesday, signing right-handed reliever Rick White to a one-year, $750,000 deal.

LAYOFFS: The commissioner's office laid off about 20 employees Wednesday, about 10percent of Major League Baseball's central staff.