{"id":1710,"date":"2016-11-07T20:16:59","date_gmt":"2016-11-08T01:16:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonbaseball.com\/?p=1710"},"modified":"2016-11-07T20:16:59","modified_gmt":"2016-11-08T01:16:59","slug":"rangers-qualifying-offer-desmond-decline-holland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2016\/11\/07\/rangers-qualifying-offer-desmond-decline-holland\/","title":{"rendered":"Texas Rangers Extend Qualifying Offer, Decline Option"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Texas Rangers<\/a><\/strong> made a couple of moves Monday that should not come as a surprise to fans. The team extended a qualifying offer to Ian Desmond<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0chose not to pick up Derek Holland<\/a><\/strong>\u2019s option, making him an outright free agent.<\/p>\n

Desmond Gets Qualifying Offer<\/strong><\/h2>\n

One of the many bright spots in the Rangers lineup this year was Desmond. Jon Daniels<\/strong> took a flyer on Desmond as a free agent offseason, and it paid huge dividends. Coming off a down season for the Washington Nationals<\/strong>, the team parted ways with him. Desmond\u2019s numbers increased across the board as a Texas Rangers. He lead the 2016 Rangers in hits and runs, and finished third or better in all major hitting categories except one. Desmond was also selected to the American League All-Star team<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

On Monday, the team extended the qualifying offer to the free agent Desmond. The value of the offer was set at approximately $17.2 million.<\/p>\n

Holland\u2019s Club Option Declined<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The organization also announced on Monday\u00a0that they would not be picking up Holland\u2019s 2017 club option. Holland struggled in recent seasons with injuries, and when he wasn\u2019t hurt his pitching was lackluster. Going into the 2016 season, Holland needed to have a solid year. That didn\u2019t happen. Holland finished the season with a 7-9 record\u00a0and an ERA of 4.91. Towards the end of the season, manager\u00a0Jeff Banister<\/a><\/strong> bounced Holland back and forth between the bullpen and the starting rotation. That kind of thing is never good for a pitcher\u2019s confidence.\u00a0The moves proved the writing was on the wall for Holland and the Rangers.<\/p>\n

In a quote from his Instagram <\/a>account, Holland said:<\/p>\n

\u201cDear\u00a0@rangers<\/a>\u00a0fans it comes to me that I will, or may not be a Ranger next year but as the news has come I\u00a0will be testing out free agency. With that being said I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for being the greatest fans to me and welcoming not only me but my family to the great state of Texas and making some of the greatest memories ever.”<\/p>\n

Holland’s Ranger Legacy<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Although Holland\u2019s numbers didn\u2019t go over well with the fans, his personality did. He was a fan favorite. Whether he was doing a Harry Caray<\/strong> impression<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0dressing up and performing scenes from \u201cDumb and Dumber\u201d through the streets of New York, he always put a smile on Ranger fans faces.<\/p>\n

I remember when Holland was called up. I was present at the ballpark during his first batting practice. The look of excitement and joy on his face can\u2019t be described. That night, I watched him go all the way around the walls of the field, signing every autograph he could. Derek Holland is a good guy, and good for baseball.<\/p>\n

Sure, his numbers may not be the best, but a guy that can make the fans feel like they matter to the players is special. Hopefully, he will find a home with a new team, or maybe even the Rangers if they chose to re-sign him.<\/p>\n

Other Notes:<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The club picked up Jonathan Lucroy<\/a><\/strong>\u2019s option for $5.25 million on Thursday 11\/3.<\/p>\n

Colby Lewis<\/a><\/strong>, Mitch Moreland<\/a><\/strong>, Carlos Gomez<\/a><\/strong>, and Carlos Beltran<\/a><\/strong> entered free agency<\/p>\n

The Rangers will find out on Tuesday if they will be getting a new stadium<\/a>. It is scheduled to be voted on by the citizens of Arlington<\/strong> as part of the election.<\/p>\n

Main Photo:<\/p>\n

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Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n