Texas Rangers decline 2014 option on Lance Berkman

The Texas Rangers have declined their 2014 team option on designated hitter Lance Berkman.  As a result, Berkman is now a free agent.

The team could have brought Berkman back for $12M for 2014, but instead will pay him a buyout of $1M.

After a solid start to the season, Berkman was neither healthy nor productive over the final five months of the year.  From July 4 to the season's end, he was 0 for 20, and overall on the year he put up a .242/.340/.359 line.