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Win-now Rangers now losing Fielder
- Updated: August 10, 2016
DENVER — After the Rangers swung deals recently to add catcher Jonathan Lucroy, right-handed reliever Jeremy Jeffress and outfielder Carlos Beltran at the expense of several of the game’s top prospects, a rival general manager questioned the wisdom of mortgaging the future.
For the Rangers, however, there was never a question.
They have learned the hard way that the future is now, and they were given a reminder of just how fragile long-term planning can be on Tuesday. Prince Fielder, the left-handed-hitting, $20 million-a-year investment they made to handle DH duties through 2020, will announce the end of his career on Wednesday in the aftermath of his second neck surgery in two years.
No official statements were made Tuesday, but it wasn’t a secret. It’s not officially a retirement because it’s health-related, but the result is the same: Fielder has played his last game.
“It’s sad if he gets pushed out of baseball, but health and family come first,” said third baseman Adrian Beltre.
With that, the Rangers packed their bags, bid adieu to Coors Field and headed home, where the Interleague matchup with the Rockies will continue Wednesday night with the focus on winning the AL West this year.
Suddenly, however, the front office knows it also has to figure out a way to fill a major void in their offensive blueprint for the next four years with the loss of Fielder, in addition to dealing with the pending free agency of Beltran, center fielder Ian Desmond and first baseman Mitch Moreland.
That uncertain future, more than anything, underscores the wisdom to do what is necessary to take advantage of today.
After rallying to pull out a 7-5 victory on Tuesday …
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