ARLINGTON -- The free-agent exclusivity period has passed without the Rangers entering serious discussions with outfielder/designated hitter Milton Bradley.

He is now free to sign with any other team, along with the Rangers' other three free agents: pitchers Jamey Wright and Jason Jennings and infielder Ramon Vazquez. The window for teams having exclusive negotiating rights with their own free agents passed at 11:01 p.m. CT Thursday.

General manager Jon Daniels spoke with Bradley's agents at the General Managers Meetings last week in California. The Rangers have some interest in re-signing Bradley after he hit .321 with 78 runs scored, 22 home runs and 77 RBIs while setting a club record with a .436 on-base percentage.

But they also recognize that he is coming off an outstanding season and has a right to test the free-agent market. Bradley made it clear at the end of the season that he is looking for a long-term contract while the Rangers have some concerns about the physical issues that he has had to deal with in his career. Bradley played in 126 games for the Rangers in 2008, only the second most in his nine-year career.

Bradley also spent most of the season at DH while trying to get back to full strength after major knee surgery at the end of the 2007 season. Hank Blalock is expected to assume most of the DH duties in 2009 after the Rangers picked up his $6.2 million option last week.

"[They] and I agreed to stay in touch, but they're going to see what's out there and we're going to prepare for the possibility that Milton will get a better deal out there than we can offer," Daniels said. "We loved what he delivered for us this year, and I'm open to having him back -- seemed to be a good fit on both sides. If it happens, it'll likely be later in the winter, and will be dependent on what else we've done and the feedback Milton's gotten elsewhere."

The amount of interest that Bradley receives this winter will likely depend on how much confidence a team has in his ability to overcome his physical problems and return to the outfield on a regular basis. The Toronto Blue Jays, though, are looking for a big bat in their designated-hitter spot this winter.

Bradley is a Type B free agent. That means the Rangers would receive a supplemental first-round pick in the First-Year Player Draft if he signs with another team but would not get an extra first-round pick as they did two years ago when they lost Gary Matthews Jr. and Carlos Lee.

The Rangers aren't expected to re-sign Wright or Vazquez, who is looking for a multiyear contract. He has been the Rangers utility infielder the past two years, but that job is likely to go to either German Duran or Joaquin Arias. The Diamondbacks have shown some interest in Vazquez to help fill their need at second base.

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The Rangers are also now free to negotiate with other free agents and their No. 1 focus remains pitching, both in the rotation and bullpen. But they have made it clear that they won't be spending large amounts of money on multiyear contracts for pitchers.

"We all know the names that are out there, but I don't see us as strong suitors for one of the top guys," Daniels said. "I'm not saying we're going to stay out of the free-agent market entirely, but I don't see us dealing at the top of the market."

A few of the names that might fall into the Rangers' price range are right-handers Brad Penny and Jon Garland and left-hander Oliver Perez. The Rangers also might bring Jennings back on a Minor League contract.

"We've talked about bringing Jason back but nothing is imminent," Daniels said. "He wants to step back and scan the landscape. The idea would be to get the healthy pitcher we'd hoped for last year. He's had a rough 2-year stretch. Hopefully the rehab goes better this winter and he's in a position to do his thing and eat innings again. We'll see."

Right now the rotation consists of Kevin Millwood and Vicente Padilla with a number of candidates competing for the final three spots. At the top of that list are Matt Harrison, Brandon McCarthy, Scott Feldman and Dustin Nippert.