ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — John Wetteland, the Texas Rangers’ career saves leader, was not offered arbitration Thursday and is considering retiring because of a back problem.
Texas also declined to offer arbitration to second baseman Luis Alicea and outfielder Mike Simms, which means they cannot sign with the Rangers until May 1. If they sign elsewhere, Texas will not receive compensation.
The team did offer arbitration to left-handed reliever Mike Munoz and outfielder Ruben Sierra, a former All-Star who returned to the majors late last season.
The 34-year-old Wetteland has a degenerative disk in his back. He’s working out four times a week, but has yet to throw a baseball.
“I’m doing everything I can,” he said. “If that’s enough, great. If it’s not, then it’s great to move on to another phase.”
Wetteland, the MVP of the 1996 World Series while pitching for the New York Yankees, signed with the Rangers in ’97 and had 150 saves over four years with at least 30 each season. He saved 34 last season and had a 4.20 ERA.
Munoz and Sierra have until Dec. 19 to decide whether to go to arbitration. If rejected, the Rangers can continue negotiations with the players until Jan. 8.
Alicea led Texas with a .294 average. He had six homers and 63 RBIs in 139 games.
Simms missed the entire season with degenerative arthritis in his left hip.
Munoz was 0-1 with a 13.50 ERA in seven appearances, then went out for the year with a torn tendon in his left elbow.
Sierra hit .326 with 18 homers and 82 RBIs in 112 games at Triple-A Oklahoma and .233 with one homer and seven RBIs in 20 games with Texas.