FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports the Rangers are finalizing an agreement with free agent Lance Berkman.

According to Ken Davidoff of the New York Post, the Yankees are one of several teams interested in signing Lance Berkman. Davidoff notes that it's unclear whether Berkman would consider a reunion with the Bombers, especially due to the interest from his hometown Astros and Rangers. With Mark Teixeira entrenched at first base, and several veterans who could use days of rest at the DH position, it's difficult to see a fit between the two parties.

Rangers president Nolan Ryan confirmed to Mark Berman of FOX 26 in Houston that the club has made an offer to free agent Lance Berkman.

Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that, in addition to the Rangers, the Rays and Orioles have "reached out" to Lance Berkman. Berkman said he received two offers before Christmas and hopes to revisit them, though he wouldn't reveal which teams the offers came from. Texas, Tampa and Baltimore all make sense as potential landing spots, though it's not clear at this point which clubs are going after Berkman the hardest. "Big Puma" said he's "still a little bit in limbo" on whether to play in 2013, but it sure sounds like he will if he gets an adequate offer.

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that free agent Lance Berkman has engaged in talks with the Rangers. Berkman is known to be seriously considering retirement, but the allure of playing for a contender -- in his home state, nonetheless -- might be enough to sway him. The Astros were also interested in Berkman at one point this winter, but they have a crowded depth chart at first base and designated hitter. And they also have no hope of competing in the American League West in 2013.

Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald hears that the Red Sox "are not believed to still be considering" Lance Berkman. Lauber notes that Boston "expressed a degree of interest" in Berkman earlier in the offseason, but it appears that ship has sailed even with the Mike Napoli deal hanging in the balance. Berkman has received a bit of interest on the open market, but he seems likelier to retire at this point.

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that the Astros remain open to bringing back Lance Berkman even after the signing of Carlos Pena. The problem is that Berkman would have to accept a very modest deal, and he wouldn't be guaranteed everyday playing time. Rosenthal says that other teams are interested in Berkman, as well. At this point, though, it seems likelier that the 36-year-old will retire and take a voluntary assistant coach at Rice, his alma mater.

ESPN's Jerry Crasnick hears that Lance Berkman remains at the top of the list in the Astros' search for a designated hitter. Crasnick hears that the Astros aren't interested in other aging DH-types like Hideki Matsui, Johnny Damon, Travis Hafner or Jason Giambi, so they will likely try to add a low-profile name if things with Berkman don't work out. No surprise, money is the biggest hurdle to a potential reunion.

Lance Berkman said Monday that he's contacted by the Red Sox, Rays, Phillies and Astros. There appears to be ample interest, but Berkman isn't completely certain that he wants to continue his playing career. The 36-year-old recently accepted a volunteer baseball coaching position on the staff at Rice University. "I'm waiting to be blown away by an offer," he told the Houston Chronicle. "If I'm not, I'll be out (at Rice)."

Lance Berkman has joined Rice University baseball coach Wayne Graham's staff as a volunteer assistant. Berkman will work as a volunteer with the team in the spring and has an open invitation to stay with the staff longer than that. By giving him a "volunteer assistant" tag, Rice will allow Berkman to continue his playing career if he so chooses. "Having flexibility if I want to play another year or two was important," Berkman said. "If I decide to hang it up, I have something to step into immediately."