Texas Rangers rumors: Alex Rios's option for 2015 to be declined, per report

Texas Rangers rumors:  Alex Rios has a team option for 2015 at either $13.5 million or $14 million, with sources differing on the amount.  However, per Jon Heyman, the Rangers have elected to decline the option, and have informed Rios of that decision.

Rios, 33, was acquired for Leury Garcia in August, 2013, and he got off to a hot start to the 2014 campaign that made picking up the option seem more likely than not.  However, from June 11 to the end of the season, Rios hit .224/.249/.303 in 253 plate appearances, and missed the entire month of September.  This dropped his season line from .335/.369/.490 on June 10 to .280/.311/.398 on the year, and made bringing him back under the terms of the option much less palatable.

While Rios has expressed an interest in returning to Texas, it seems most likely the Rangers will look elsewhere in filling out their outfield.  Going with an internal job-sharing arrangement amongst the likes of Daniel Robertson, Ryan Rua, Michael Choice, Jake Smolinski, Jim Adduci and Mitch Moreland appears to be a strong possibility at this point.

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