SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – Omar Vizquel hopes to revitalize his career with a new team in a new league. The San Francisco Giants just hope the veteran shortstop has a few more good years in him.

Vizquel agreed to terms with San Francisco on Sunday. The deal is worth $12.25 million over three years, a person close to the negotiations told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

At 37, the defensive wizard is headed to the National League for the first time in his career after spending the last 11 seasons with Cleveland. He turned down a two-year offer from the Chicago White Sox, in part because he wanted to play on the West Coast near his Seattle home.

“People say I have a really young heart,” he said. “That’s important in this game. … I think I can be really strong another two or three years. I think coming to a new league is going to keep me sharp. I hope I can pick up the pace real quick.”

Vizquel, a nine-time Gold Glove winner, is the first of 207 free agents to join a new team, and the second to sign overall after Texas reliever Doug Brocail returned to the Rangers on Friday on a $1 million, one-year deal.

The switch-hitter batted .291 with seven homers and 59 RBIs last season for the Indians. He also scored 82 runs, stole 19 bases and didn’t make an error in the last 55 games.

The Giants hope Vizquel can provide a boost to their defense and improve production in the No. 2 spot in the order.

Though Vizquel’s production and durability have been questioned in recent seasons, general manager Brian Sabean believes Vizquel still can be an everyday contributor – and the Giants are never scared off by aging players.

“To get somebody of Omar’s caliber is certainly a godsend,” Sabean said of Vizquel’s defensive abilities. “I think if you watch him play, he has a passion for the game and is in great shape.”

Vizquel filed for free agency last month after the Indians declined to pick up his $5 million option for 2005. Vizquel had said he wanted to return for a 12th season in Cleveland, where he grew into one of the franchise’s most popular players, but the Indians said his return would be “a long shot.” General manager Mark Shapiro’s priority this offseason is pitching.

Shapiro did meet with Vizquel and his agent, Adam Katz, last month to discuss the possibility of a return, but nothing came of it. Cleveland had to pay Vizquel a $1 million buyout.

“I’m really happy about the chance I have to play for a contending team,” Vizquel said. “The last couple of years, I’ve been a part of a rebuilding process. Being with a contending team is really special.”

Last season, Vizquel became just the 19th active player to reach 2,000 hits, and now has 2,147 in 16 major league seasons. He won the AL Gold Glove every year from 1993 to 2001. The Indians acquired him in a trade with Seattle in December of 1993.

“I’m excited about finding the kind of player he is and the kind of man he is,” manager Felipe Alou said. “This is an awesome first step, and I’m feeling more comfortable about the position there. He knows what this is all about. It’s about winning.”

San Francisco signed Deivi Cruz, the Giants’ primary shortstop last season, to an $800,000, one-year contract earlier this month, but Sabean made it clear he was looking for another shortstop – and told Cruz that, too.

In the coming weeks, Sabean will concentrate on upgrading the outfield and working out a deal with right-hander Dustin Hermanson, who wants to return after becoming the Giants’ closer late last season.

The Santa Rosa Press Democrat and the Contra Costa Times first reported Vizquel’s signing in Sunday’s editions.

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AP Sports Writer Ronald Blum in New York contributed to this story.

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