Texas Rangers: Prince Fielder Has Been Officially Released

The Texas Rangers have officially parted ways with Prince Fielder. Fielder retired from active competition in August of last year due to a neck injury. Since then Fielder remained part of the team but was on the 60-day disabled list. Now, he’s free.

Fielder was under contract with the Texas Rangers until 2020. When the Rangers traded Ian Kinsler to the Detroit Tigers in exchange for Fielder, the Tigers agreed to pay $6 million of Fielder’s salary while the Rangers until the contract expired. Fielder has three years remaining and is owed $24 million each year so the Rangers will be paying $18 million each year until the deal is done.

According to Lone Star Baseball’s Adam J. Morris, the Rangers kept Fielder on their roster for insurance purposes involving Fielder’s contract. Fielder stated himself that he was officially retiring from baseball, his motive likely due to the fact that if a player retires before his current contract expires, he forfeits the rest of his salary. Fielder is still owed $72 million in guaranteed salary. Detroit is paying $18 million out of it.

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Fielder’s stint in Arlington didn’t go the way the Rangers organization hoped it would go. In 2014, he only played in 42 games due to having to undergo neck surgery in June of that year.

In 2015, Fielder played a good season and went on to be named the 2015 MLB Comeback Player of the Year. When 2016 came, Fielder wasn’t off to a good start and it got worse when it was discovered he would require another spinal fusion surgery, his second in just 27 months. After that, it was over.

Little was known about Fielder’s life in retirement. However, back in February, it was announced that Fielder would begin hosting his own cooking show called, “Fielder Choice,” and it would begin in the Spring. Fielder mentioned his show would involve baseball players, actors, musicians and celebrity chefs.

Despite the sad ending to his career, it’s good to know Fielder has moved on and is living a happy life.