Palmeiro ready for Phase II

BALTIMORE — Rafael Palmeiro plans to finish his career in Baltimore and enter the Hall of Fame as an Oriole.

Palmeiro, 39, passed a physical yesterday and completed his one-year, $4.5million contract. The deal calls for $4million this season and includes a $4.5million team option for 2005 with a $500,000 buyout. He can earn another $1million annually in performance bonuses.

Palmeiro expects to stick around long enough to get another contract — and perhaps one after that.

“I’m looking forward to this new chapter in my career,” he said. “I’m here to play for a long time. As long as I’m healthy, as long as I’m productive, as long as these guys want me and we’re winning, I don’t see any reason why I should quit. I love this game too much to walk away from it.”

Palmeiro enjoyed five productive years with the Orioles from 1994 to 1998 before signing as a free agent with the Texas Rangers. He became a free agent again after the 2003 season and promptly sought to latch on with Baltimore.

“I know what it’s like to play here. Those were the best five years of my career,” he said.

Palmeiro hit .260 with 38 homers and 112 RBI last year. During an outstanding career that began in 1986 with the Chicago Cubs, he has hit .291 with 2,780 hits and 528 homers — 13th on the career list.

He could reach 600 homers and 3,000 hits in 2005, numbers that usually guarantee entry into the Hall of Fame.

Speaking of numbers, Palmeiro said he will negotiate with Baltimore outfielder Jay Gibbons to get back his No.25 uniform.

“It’s a very important number. I’ve had it since my days in Chicago,” Palmeiro said. “It would be nice to have it. I’m planning on retiring as an Oriole, and if I’m lucky enough to be voted into the Hall of Fame, I’d like to be an Oriole and wear No.25.”

Palmeiro saw part-time duty at first base with the Rangers last season but in 2003 expects to play the position on a regular basis.

“I’ve got a lot to offer, not only as a hitter but on defense,” he said. “I’m going to play first base, and I’m going to play it very well.”

After the strike-shortened 1994 season, Palmeiro averaged 40 home runs and 119 RBI his final four years with Baltimore. He helped the Orioles reach the playoffs in 1996 and 1997 and made the All-Star team in 1998.

But Baltimore moved slowly in negotiating a new deal after the 1998 season, and Palmeiro ultimately rejected a five-year, $50million offer from the Orioles and signed with Texas.

“When I left, I went home to be with my family,” he said. “I never thought that this would open up again, but what other way to finish my career than as an Oriole?”

That would be fine with the Orioles, who expect Palmeiro to do more than merely add punch to the lineup.

“We’re happy to have Raffy on board,” vice president Mike Flanagan said. “What Raffy brings is the consistency we were looking for, both offensively and defensively. We want Raffy to be our everyday first baseman not only for this year, but for years to come.”

The Orioles and Palmeiro share the same goal: to reach the playoffs. Baltimore has endured six straight losing seasons, but the addition of free agents Palmeiro, shortstop Miguel Tejada and catcher Javy Lopez have given the franchise reason to believe it can be a contender.

The pitching is still shaky, even if the ongoing negotiations with free agent right-hander Sidney Ponson turn out to be successful. But there’s no question this is a better team than the one that went 71-91 in 2003.

“We may just go with the young pitchers and see what they’re capable of,” vice president Jim Beattie said. “Defensively, they’ll get the support; we’ll be an improved defensive club. And we should be able to score more runs.”