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DALLAS (AP) — Right-handed closer Tony Barnette has agreed to a $3.5 million, two-year contract with the Texas Rangers after six seasons in Japan.
Barnette gets $1.5 million next year and $1.75 million in 2017 under Tuesday's agreement. Texas has a 2018 option with a $250,000 buyout.
A 32-year-old native of Alaska, Barnette had a team-record 41 saves and a 1.29 ERA in 59 games last season for the Yakult Swallows in Japan's Central League.
Originally taken in the 10th round of the 2006 amateur draft by Arizona, Barnette went to Japan after four seasons in the minors. He converted from a starter to a reliever in 2011, his second year in Japan.
Texas also agreed to a minor league contract with catcher Bobby Wilson, who will attend big league spring training. Wilson hit .221 in 31 games for the Rangers after a waiver claim from Tampa Bay on July 31.
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