ARLINGTON -- The Rangers have worked out two-year contracts with hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo and pitcher Joaquin Benoit. Jaramillo's contract expired on Wednesday, but the Rangers, according to club officials, were able to reach a two-year agreement before he was able to talk with other teams. Jaramillo has been the Rangers' hitting coach since 1995. Benoit also received a two-year contract on Wednesday after turning in his best season as a reliever, going 7-4 with a 2.85 ERA in 70 games. He also had six saves and held opponents to a .225 batting average. The Rangers showed their confidence in Benoit by signing him to a two-year, $6 million contract. He will receive a $500,000 signing bonus, a $2.5 million salary in 2008 and a $3 million salary in 2009. The contract keeps Benoit from going to arbitration this offseason and from being eligible for free agency until after the 2009 season. "I have been with the Texas Rangers all my career, and this is where I wanted to be," Benoit said. "I was looking for security, and they gave it to me. All along the Rangers have been telling me they wanted me and needed me, and now they showed they need me." "One of our team's strengths this season was our bullpen, and Joaquin was a huge part of that," Rangers assistant general manager Thad Levine said. "Joaquin is a guy who has grown up with the Texas Rangers, and we've asked him to do a lot for us. We're extremely proud of his development, and he has really established himself as one of the best relievers in baseball. We view him as extremely valuable to our future and didn't want to see him walk away as a free agent." Benoit ended the season sharing the closer role with left-hander C.J. Wilson after the Rangers traded Eric Gagne to the Boston Red Sox. Akinori Otsuka is also a candidate but is still recovering from elbow problems and has still not resumed throwing. Benoit would like a shot at being the closer in 2008. "I think I have the talent to do it," Benoit said. "Right now I'm confident, and I'll be even more confident when the season begins." The Rangers, after signing both Benoit and Frank Francisco to contracts, have four players left eligible for arbitration: catcher Gerald Laird, infielder Ramon Vazquez, outfielder Marlon Byrd and Otsuka. Second baseman Ian Kinsler is not yet eligible for arbitration, but Levine suggested the Rangers may explore a long-term deal with him. They tried last year but were unable to reach an agreement with his agents. "It may be something we do this offseason," Levine said. Third base candidates lined up: The Rangers, while re-signing Jaramillo are moving vigorously toward replacing third base coach Don Wakamatsu. Former Rangers manager Jerry Narron, after speaking with general manager Jon Daniels on Wednesday, has declined interest in the position but the club is planning to interview former Oakland Athletics coach Brad Fischer, veteran Major League catcher Sandy Alomar and highly regarded Minor League manager Matt Walbeck. Walbeck is a former Major League catcher who has compiled an impressive Minor League managerial record in the Detroit Tigers farm system. He was the Eastern League Manager of the Year with the Erie SeaWolves in 2007 and led the Class A West Michigan Whitecaps to the Midwest League championship in 2004 and 2006. Walbeck also has experience as a catching instructor and has his own instructional DVD on the fundamentals of catching. Alomar is a 20-year Major League veteran and a six-time All-Star who played for the Rangers in 2005. He spent last season with the New York Mets. Briefly: Outfielder Brad Wilkerson filed for free agency on Wednesday. Pitcher Jamey Wright is the only Rangers player eligible for free agency who hasn't filed. ... Free agent pitcher Curt Schilling has listed 12 teams he is interested in playing for besides the Red Sox, and the Rangers weren't one of them. The 12 teams listed on his blog were Cleveland, Detroit, Anaheim, New York Mets, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Arizona, St. Louis, Milwaukee, Chicago Cubs and the Los Angeles Dodgers. --

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