Outfielder Austin Kearns agreed Thursday to a three-year, $17.5-million US contract with the Washington Nationals.

Kearns, 26, will earn $3.5 million US this coming season, $5 million US in 2008 and $8 million US in 2009.

Austin Kearns split last season between the Reds and Nationals.
(Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Washington owns a $10-million US option for 2010 with a $1-million US buyout.

"We think Austin is going to be a cornerstone of this franchise," Nationals general manager Jim Bowden said. "His best years are ahead of him [and] his prime just starts now."

Kearns split last season between the Cincinnati Reds and Nationals, hitting .264 with 24 home runs, 86 runs batted in and 86 runs scored in 150 games.

He was the keynote player in a July 13 trade that saw Felipe Lopez and Ryan Wagner also head to Washington for Royce Clayton, Brendan Harris, Gary Majewski, Bill Bray and minor-leaguer Daryl Thompson.

"It all happened kind of fast," Kearns said. "But I adjusted here pretty quick."

Asked what to expect from Kearns, Nationals rookie Manny Acta replied: "At least 25 HRs, 100 RBIs. He's capable of doing that and more.

"I admired him and feared him when I was on the other side, so it's nice to be on his side. He is not only a good guy who can produce at the plate, but he's also a good defensive player who changes the running game of the other team."

Kearns is a .265 hitter with 79 HRs, 299 RBIs and 281 runs in 515 games over five MLB seasons for the Reds and Nationals, who consider him a building block alongside first baseman Nick Johnson, catcher Brian Schneider and third baseman Ryan Zimmerman.

"I think I can get better," Kearns said. "I feel comfortable here and I feel good about where it's going.

"We have a good core group. I don't think people actually realize the talent that already is here and how close this thing is to where we want it."

With files from the Associated Press