Rafael Palmeiro is willing to restructure his contract if it means bringing Juan Gonzalez back to the Texas Rangers.

	Gonzalez

	Palmeiro

"I'm not making any offers, but if they want to talk about options, I'm willing to talk about options," Palmeiro told The Dallas Morning News for a story published in Thursday's editions.

"I don't even know what those options might be, but I want people to know that I'm interested in having Juan return. My opinion is that if the Rangers are fair with him," Palmeiro said, "he would be interested in returning."

Rangers general manager Doug Melvin would not comment on Palmeiro's offer or Gonzalez because it would be tampering, but Rangers owner Tom Hicks told a local radio station Wednesday morning that he was open to bringing the two-time MVP back to Texas.

Gonzalez, who is eligible for free agency after the season, was activated off the disabled list Wednesday before the Tigers played Tampa Bay in Detroit. He went 1-for-3 with a run scored in a 6-2 loss to the Devil Rays.

He was expected to play Thursday night in his first trip back to Texas as a Detroit Tiger.

Gonzalez turned down an eight-year, $148 million contract offer by the Tigers during the preseason and nixed a trade with the Yankees in June.

On Wednesday, Gonzalez said he wants the left- and left-center-field fences at Detroit's Comerica Park moved in. It is 398 feet to the left-field power alley and 365 feet to right.

"Yeah, it's necessary," Gonzalez said. "In my opinion, it's necessary."

The Tigers don't intend any changes.

"We've found the ball carries better with warmer temperatures," general manager Randy Smith said. "We think all of the (hitting statistics) bear that out."

Gonzalez said Monday he is happy in Detroit. He said he appreciates the Tigers' ownership and front office and enjoys playing for manager Phil Garner. He reiterated Wednesday that re-signing with the Tigers would be his "first option."

Asked if he was considering re-signing with the Tigers after becoming a free agent at season's end, Gonzalez said:

"Yeah, why not? This is my first option."

Gonzalez missed 16 games with an inflamed left ankle and has sat out 32 of Detroit's 98 games.

To make room for Gonzalez, the Tigers optioned reliever Erik Hiljus to Triple-A Toledo. He made one appearance for Detroit since his recall July 23, allowing two runs on three hits in two-thirds of an inning Sunday against Kansas City.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.