Free agent slugger Manny Ramirez, who will have to serve a 50-game suspension before playing in 2012, signed a minor league contract with the Oakland Athletics Monday.
Ramirez told Pedro Gomez of ESPN earlier Monday that he would sign with the A's.
According to Gomez's sources, the deal is worth around 500,000.
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Ramirez wont be eligible to play for the A's until at least May 30 at Minnesota due to a 50-game suspension for violating the Major League Baseball drug policy for the second time in his career.
According to Jon Heyman, Ramirez signed a minor-league deal with the A's because he just wants the opportunity to continue his baseball career.
The A's tweeted that "Ramirez will report to spring training as a non-roster invitee by the end of this week."
In 19 MLB seasons, Ramirez has a .312 lifetime average with 555 home runs and 2,574 hits. In five games with the Tampa Bay Rays last season, Ramirez hit .059 (one hit in 17 at bats).