Ron Washington has always been a popular coach with players, stressing communication and letting them be themselves.

Now he will get his chance as a manager with the Texas Rangers, who wanted and needed somebody with those characteristics.

"I am very thrilled. I don't think I can find words to express it right now," Washington said by cell phone while on a plane yesterday, about to fly from his native New Orleans to Texas for his introduction. "Maybe one day I will find the words."

Washington, a coach for the Oakland Athletics the last 11 seasons, was chosen over four other candidates to replace Buck Showalter and inherit a team that has had only one winning season since last making the playoffs in 1999.

"Ron is a teacher and winner who brings a great deal of integrity to our organization," general manager Jon Daniels said. "He is a straightforward, energetic baseball man who we're excited to have lead the Rangers."

Washington, 54, received a two-year contract with two additional option years. He will be the Rangers' 17th full-time manager and first black manager.

ROUNDUP NATIONALS BULK UP: Right-handers Tim Redding and Joel Hanrahan agreed to one-year contracts with the Washington Nationals along with infielder Josh Wilson and outfielder Michael Restovich. In addition to the four major-league contracts, the Nationals agreed to 17 minor-league deals. Thirteen of the 21 free agents are pitchers. Among those getting minor-league deals were former Pawtucket Red Sox pitcher Jermaine Van Buren and infielder Alejandro Machado.

COLLUSION SETTLEMENT : Baseball players and owners settled potential claims that management may have conspired against free agents following the 2002 and 2003 seasons as part of an agreement that also dealt with about 40 grievances. The settlement, made with no admissions of guilt, was agreed to last month at the same time the sides signed off on a five-year labor contract through the 2011 season. Under the deal, a lump-sum $12-million payment from money already earmarked for players will be made to settle unfiled claims of collusive activity from those two offseasons along with many of the backed up grievances that were pending.

DELGADO HAPPY: Carlos Delgado is so happy with the Mets that he doesn't want to leave New York. Delgado decided against filing a trade demand, the Mets said yesterday, preferring to stick with the team that took him to the playoffs for the first time in his big-league career.

JAPANESE STAR AVAILABLE: Third baseman Akinori Iwamura was put up for bid yesterday by the Yakult Swallows of Japan's Central League. Major-league teams have until Friday to submit bids for the 27-year-old Iwamura, a five-time Gold Glove winner in Japan. The Swallows will be notified of the top offer -- without being told which team made it -- and have until Nov. 16 to accept. If the offer is accepted, the winning major-league team has 30 days to negotiate a contract.

SURGERY FOR LIRIANO: Minnesota Twins left-hander Francisco Liriano had surgery on his left elbow yesterday. The team said the procedure, performed in southern California by Dr. Lewis Yocum, took about 90 minutes and went without any complications.

CLEMENS, PETTITTE FREE AGENTS: Houston teammates Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte filed for free agency yesterday while still unsure whether they want to pitch next year. Clemens said he planned to retire after the 2003, 2004 and 2005 seasons, but came back each time to sign with his hometown Houston Astros. Pettitte, Clemens' close friend and Texas neighbor, had left the New York Yankees after the 2003 season to sign with the Astros.

MAHAY RETURNING: The Rangers exercised their $1.25-million option on left-handed reliever Ron Mahay.