CLEVELAND (Ticker) -- A week after withdrawing a lucrative offer to slugger Manny Ramirez, the Cleveland Indians have landed free agent outfielder Ellis Burks.

The Indians announced today that Burks signed a three-year contract with a club option for 2004.

Financial terms were not disclosed, but it is believed Burks, who hit .344 with 24 homers with 96 RBI in just 393 at-bats with the San Francisco Giants last season, will receive $19.5 million over the next three years.

"Ellis Burks is a middle of the order bat that will be a big run producer for the club in the coming years not to mention his presence and leadership," Indians general manager John Hart said.

The signing likely means the Indians are done with Ramirez, who wanted $20 million a year. Cleveland recently pulled its seven-year, $119 million offer off the table to Ramirez.

With Burks signed at $6.5 million annually, the Indians plan to go after a starting pitcher. If Ramirez had accepted his offer worth $17 million annually, the Indians likely would not have had the flexibility to shop for a pitcher.

Burks, 36, had been courted heavily by the Texas Rangers, but opted to sign with the Indians.

Since knee problems limited Burks to 110 starts in right field last season, it was not surprising he opted to sign with an American League team where he could also serve as a designated hitter.

The loss of Burks is a major blow for the National League West champion Giants. They went 73-37 in his 110 starts and Burks was named winner of the Willie McCovey Award as the club's most inspirational player.

A two-time All-Star, Burks fell four RBI shy of becoming the first National League player to drive in 100 runs with less than 400 at-bats, a feat he nearly accomplished in 1999 when he drove in 96 runs in 390 at-bats. Burks batted .348 with runners in scoring position.

He owns a lifetime batting average of .293 with 285 homers and 1,012 RBI in 14 seasons with the Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox, Colorado Rockies and the Giants.

Burks enjoyed his best season in 1996 when he hit .344 with 40 home runs and 128 RBI for Colorado.