Rangers make qualifying offer to outfielder Nelson Cruz; decline offers to six other free agents

The Texas Rangers announced today that the club has made a qualifying 2014 contract offer to free agent outfielder Nelson Cruz.

Cruz has until Monday, November 11, at 4:00 p.m. CST to accept or decline the offer. If he accepts the offer, he is considered a signed player for 2014. If he declines the offer, the Rangers will gain an additional selection after the first round in the 2014 Draft if he should sign with another team.  

Texas can make a qualifying offer to any XXB Type Free Agent that was with the Rangers for the entire 2013 season.

The team did not make qualifying offers to six other eligible free agents: pitchers Colby Lewis and Joe Nathan, catchers A.J. Pierzynski and Geovany Soto, outfielder David Murphy, and designated hitter Lance Berkman. The Rangers can still negotiate with these six free agents, but would not receive any draft pick compensation if those players sign with another club.

40-MAN ROSTER TRANSACTIONS: The Rangers have also reinstated left-handed pitchers Matt Harrison and Edwar Cabrera from the 60-day disabled list. Additionally, right-handed pitcher Ross Wolf and left-handed pitcher Travis Blackley both cleared waivers and were outrighted to the minor leagues. Wolf has agreed to a 2014 minor league contract with an invitation to major league spring training, while Blackley has elected free agency.

Harrison made just 2 starts for the Rangers in 2013 before having three different surgeries that sidelined him for the rest of the year. Cabrera was received from Colorado on a waiver claim on October 16, when he was assigned from the Rockies' 60-day disabled list to the Rangers' 60-day D.L.  

Wolf, 31, went 1-3 with a 4.15 ERA (22 ER/47.2 IP) in 22 games/3 starts for Texas in 2013, returning to the major leagues for the first time since 2007. He spent most of the season's final four months on the Rangers' 25-man roster. Blackley went a combined 2-2 with a 4.83 ERA (27 ER/50.1 IP) over 46 games/3 starts with the Astros and Rangers last season, including a 1-1 mark with a 4.70 ERA (8 ER/15.1 IP) in 4 games/3 starts with Texas. He was acquired from Houston in exchange for cash considerations on August 14.

With today's moves, the Rangers still have 34 players on the club's 40-man roster.

ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE TRANSACTION: Due to an injury to a pitcher from another organization, Rangers minor league right-handed pitcher Lisalverto Bonilla has been added to the roster of the Surprise Saguaros. Bonilla will be active beginning tonight. Surprise's last scheduled game is November 14.