SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. _ Rangers left-hander Derek Holland is officially a free agent after the club declined to pick up his contract option Monday evening.
The club paid a $1.5 million buyout instead of Holland's $11 million option. The club's top priority this off-season is starting pitching. Freeing up those resources will help the club land another starter.
Since going 10-9 with a 3.42 ERA over 33 starts (213 innings) in 2013, Holland has been beset with injuries. He's made 35 combined starts the past three seasons. He made 22 appearances (20 starts) with a 4.95 ERA in 2016 and was left off the postseason roster.
"Not knowing [if] I am going to wear the Rangers uniform is the hardest part," Holland said by phone. "This is the only place I have ever been. I had great teammates and they helped get me to where I am. It's a class organization, it was a great experience being with these guys. At the end of the day, I was proud to be in that uniform and play in front of these fans."
Holland, who turned 30 on Oct. 9, thanked fans Monday afternoon via the social media site Instagram.
"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," Holland wrote. "You the fans have been a class act and some of the greatest people. You supported me through the great times and the bad times ... I wish I could of done a lot more great things and am truly sorry for the way it finished for me here as a Ranger."
Holland also said he hopes he hasn't worn a Rangers' uniform for the last time.
"There's a chance. They still want to talk to me," he said. "I don't know what's going to happen. This is my first time in free agency. It's a different animal. I'll see what lies ahead, see what presents itself and what's out there."
