Rangers Offer Park a Long-Term Deal

The Texas Rangers on Tuesday offered Chan Ho Park a multiyear contract, becoming the first team to enter the bidding for the top pitcher in this year’s free-agent class.

Baseball sources said the club has offered Park, 28, a long-term deal. Although he declined to confirm the offer, agent Scott Boras acknowledged that “there have been offers made for Chan Ho Park.”

Ranger owner Tom Hicks and Boras negotiated the record 10-year, $252-million contract that all-star shortstop Alex Rodriguez signed in December. They also have done other deals.

Boras is believed to be seeking a deal that averages at least $14 million, and sources said the Rangers’ initial proposal was in that ballpark.

Park had a salary of $10 million last season with the Dodgers.

Boras has compared Park favorably to left-hander Mike Hampton, who signed an eight-year, $121-million deal with the Colorado Rockies in December.

General Manager John Hart recently downplayed the Rangers’ interest in Park, saying he planned to focus on acquiring relievers. However, many expected the Rangers to aggressively pursue the right-hander because of their pitching problems in 2000 and Boras’ strong relationship with Hicks.

The Rangers had the majors’ worst earned-run average and opponent batting average at 5.71 and .293, respectively. Sources said Hicks is intent on bolstering the team’s rotation and bullpen in an attempt to contend in the pitching-rich American League West.

Dodger General Manager Dan Evans said he also has interest in re-signing Park. However, Evans has had only one conversation with Boras about Park, which Evans initiated Monday only hours before the club’s exclusive negotiating window closed.