The Texas Rangers today announced the following transactions:
--The Rangers have declined a 2017 club option on left-handed pitcher Derek Holland, making him a free agent. Holland will receive a 1.5 million dollar buyout.
--The Rangers will make a qualifying 2017 contract offer to free agent outfielder Ian Desmond, who has until Monday, November 14, at 4:00 p.m. CST to accept or decline the offer. If he accepts the offer, he is considered a signed player for 2017. If he declines the offer, the Rangers will gain an additional selection after the first round in the 2017 Draft if he should sign with another team.
--The Rangers have reinstated first baseman/designated hitter Prince Fielder and right-handed pitcher Adrian Sampson from the 60-day disabled list.
Holland, 30, posted a 7-9 record with a 4.95 ERA (59 ER/107.1 IP) over 22 games/20 starts last season for the Rangers. He spent time on the 60-day disabled list for a third consecutive season, missing two months with left shoulder inflammation, and was not on the club's roster for the American League Division Series against Toronto. Originally selected by Texas in the 25th round of the 2006 June draft and signed in May 2007, he has spent his entire 10-year professional career in the Rangers organization.
"The Rangers appreciate the many contributions that Derek Holland has made to this franchise, both on the field and in the community," said Rangers President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Jon Daniels. "While today's action doesn't necessarily close the door on our future interest in Derek, we want to thank him for the impact he has made here in Texas."
Texas can make a qualifying offer to any XXB Type Free Agent that was with the Rangers for the entire 2016 season. The team did not make a qualifying offer to its other eligible free agents, pitcher Colby Lewis, first baseman Mitch Moreland, and Holland. The Rangers can still negotiate with those players, but would not receive any draft pick compensation if they sign with another club.
Desmond, 31, batted .285 with 22 home runs and 86 RBI over 156 games in his first season with the Rangers in 2016. He produced the first 20 home run/20 stolen base season by a Ranger since 2011, and ranked among American League leaders in multi-hit games (T7th, 55), runs (T8th, 107), hits (T10th, 178), and stolen bases (T10th, 21).
Fielder, 32, was placed on the 15-day disabled list on July 20, retroactive to July 19, and had neck surgery to repair a herniation of his C4/C5 disc performed by Dr. Drew Dossett on July 29 in Dallas. He was transferred to the 60-day disabled list on August 1. He batted .212 with 8 home runs and 44 RBI in 89 games with Texas this season. Sampson, 25, was received from the Seattle Mariners in a November 2 waiver claim, when he was transferred from the Mariners' 60-day disabled list to the Rangers' 60-day disabled list.  He made his major league debut with Seattle this season, allowing 4 runs/earned runs over 4.2 innings in his lone outing on June 18 at Boston. Sampson had surgery to repair a flexor tendon in his right elbow on June 30 and is expected to be in an injury rehabilitation program for the start of the 2017 season. After today's transactions, the Rangers now have 37 players on the major league roster.