Rangers have 6 free agents as offseason begins
Club expected to extend qualifying offer to righty Gallardo
ARLINGTON -- The Rangers had six players become free agents on Monday, the day after the World Series ended. Pitchers Colby Lewis, Yovani Gallardo and Ross Ohlendorf, first baseman Mike Napoli and outfielders Drew Stubbs and Will Venable are now on the market.
The Rangers have exclusive negotiating rights with those six players up until 11:01 p.m. CT Friday. After that, they are free to sign with any team.
The Rangers are expected to extend a $15.8 million qualifying offer to Gallardo. If he accepts it, he becomes a signed player for next season. If Gallardo declines the offer, the Rangers will get Draft pick compensation if he signs with another team.
The Rangers are interested to a certain extent in re-signing Napoli, Lewis and possibly Ohlendorf. Venable and Stubbs, acquired in August to strengthen the Rangers' bench, will likely seek more playing time elsewhere.
"Of our free agents, there's nobody that doesn't fit in some scenario," Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said. "These guys are all great teammates. We've got some decisions to make, they've got some decisions to make. There's nobody we're cutting the cord with."
Worth noting
Rangers infielder Jurickson Profar has been selected to play in the Arizona Fall League All-Star Game. Profar, who has missed most of the past two seasons because of a torn muscle in his right shoulder, has played in seven games for the Surprise Saguaros and is 8-for-28 with seven runs scored and nine RBIs.
The 10th annual Fall Stars Game Presented by Bowman Baseball Cards will be played at 7:08 p.m. CT this Saturday, Nov. 7 at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. It can be seen on MLB.com.