Won American League MVP Award in 1999, when he hit .332 with 35 homers and 113 RBIs for the Texas Rangers .

Has won 13 AL Gold Glove Awards (1992-2001, 2004, 2006-07).

Selected to 14 AL All-Star teams (1992-2001, 2004-07).

Won World Series title as Florida Marlins catcher in 2003.

Named MVP of the National League Championship Series in 2003.

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - As Roy Oswalt sang Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez's praises, the 14-time All-Star catcher interrupted the righthander's phone conversation Monday to let him know they were now Astros teammates.

"What's up, teammate?" Rodriguez said to Oswalt at Dolphin Stadium.

"Hey," Oswalt told Rodriguez, "I'm just giving an interview about you."

Oswalt had been meaning to give Rodriguez a recruiting pitch, but none is necessary. Only a physical and minor details need to be settled before a one-year contract is finalized between the Astros and Rodriguez.

"I'm glad we got him," Oswalt said. "It's going to help us out for sure. Hopefully we can work together a little bit at the end of spring and get going. I think it's going to be a lot of fun. The guy's got a lot of experience, and I think it will work out pretty well for us."

Rodriguez, who led Team Puerto Rico over Team USA on Saturday, has accepted a one-year, $1.5 million contract from the Astros with another $1.5 million in incentive clauses.

Although he wasn't ready to confirm the deal, Rodriguez didn't need Oswalt to tell him the Astros could use him.

"Houston needs a catcher. I'm ready for whatever happens," Rodriguez said to reporters in Miami covering the World Baseball Classic.

Physical on hold

Because the deal is pending a physical, which might not even be taken until Puerto Rico is finished in the WBC, Rodriguez was coy with the media Monday in Miami.

"There still isn't anything concrete," he said before playing Venezuela. "Right now the only team I have is Puerto Rico and that's what I'm concentrating on, today's game."

In a move that will be embraced by Oswalt and at least two of the other Astros stars, Rodriguez is likely to take over the starting catcher's position for a team that likely would have started Humberto Quintero.

Now Quintero, who has never played a full season in the majors, seems destined to back up Rodriguez, who prefers to start.

"For me, it's very important because I still feel like I'm in good enough shape to play every day," Rodriguez, 37, said of starting. "I prepare myself physically to play every day and that's the way I feel."

After initially shying away from Rodriguez because of economics, the Astros moved into intense negotiations over the weekend with Rodriguez's agent, Scott Boras.

"We've re-engaged with him," Astros general manager Ed Wade said. "I've had several conversations with (Boras). He's cycled back toward us and there seems like there might be an environment to get something done. We've had several conversations and we're trying to see if there's a fit for us."

Rodriguez has been one of Team Puerto Rico's brightest stars in the World Baseball Classic, and his play has drawn raves from top Astros scouts Fred Nelson and Paul Ricciarini.

"I've gone back and talked to Fred Nelson and Paul Ricciarini," Wade said. "Their feeling is that there's still a considerable amount left in the tank with Pudge. He still throws very well and is hitting well."

Turning heads in WBC

Rodriguez, who was on the free-agent market longer than he expected, has benefited from the WBC exposure.

"I think it has a lot to do with it," Rodriguez said. "There are a lot of scouts and teams that maybe come to these games to see how the players are doing. It's helped me a lot."

The righthanded-hitting Rodriguez began last season in Detroit, was traded to the New York Yankees in July and hit .276 with seven homers and 35 RBIs in 115 games.

His best season was 1999 when he was named the Most Valuable Player in the American League after hitting .332 with 35 homers and 113 RBIs for Texas. He also won one of his 13 Gold Gloves that season.

jesus.ortiz@chron.com