Report: Texas Rangers decline OF Alex Rios' $13.5 million option for 2015
The Texas Rangers have informed outfielder Alex Rios that they are declining his team option for 2015, making him a free agent, reports CBSSports.com.
According to BaseballReference.com and Spotrac.com, Rios's option was worth $13.5 million and the Rangers have to pay him $1 million to buy out his contract.
Rios struggled with injuries this season, batting .280 with an on-base percentage of .311, four home runs and 54 RBIs. He missed multiple games due to an ankle injury and was shut down in September due to a thumb injury.
Because Texas fell out of contention early in the season, the team made Rios available at the trade deadline. He received interest from multiple teams, though no trade was ultimately made. Had he been traded, Rios' 2015 salary would've increased to $14 million and the buyout to $2 million.
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Rios came to the Rangers in a trade with the Chicago White Sox in August of last season, hitting .280 with an on-base percentage of .315 in 47 games with the team. Before the White Sox, Rios spent the first five-plus seasons of his career with the Toronto Blue Jays, making the lone two All-Star Game appearances of his career with the team in 2006 and 2007.
Texas, which dealt with injuries throughout its roster, finished 67-95 last season for its first losing record since 2008. Its last-place finish in the American League West was its first since 2007.
The Rangers will have a new manager next season after Ron Washington resigned, saying he did so because he cheated on his wife and was at a "low time" in his life.
On Tuesday. the team named bench coach Tim Bogar, Pittsburgh Pirates bench coach Jeff Banister and Cleveland Indians bullpen coach Kevin Cash as its three finalists for the manager job.
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