Report: Prince Fielder's MLB Career Appears To Be Over
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ARLINGTON (105.3 THE FAN) - According to sources, Texas Rangers slugger Prince Fielder's career in Major League Baseball may likely be over.
Fox Sports MLB insider Ken Rosenthal tweeted the news that, according to his sources, Fielder's career appears to be over.
#Rangers' Fielder underwent his second neck surgery on July 29. He is guaranteed $24M annually through 2020. Not known if TEX has insurance.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) August 9, 2016
The 32-year old Fielder was expected to miss the rest of the 2016 season after he had his second neck surgery on July 29.
Rangers GM Jon Daniels acknowledged in a recent press conference that the team does have an insurance policy on Fielder, but declined to get into the specifics of it.
Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News is reporting that the club will still pay Fielder $9 million each season through 2020.
Believe that insurance policy will pay 50% based on Rangers commitment of $18 million. https://t.co/IHoUhMZ4z3
— Evan Grant (@Evan_P_Grant) August 9, 2016
According to his sources, he believes the insurance policy covers 50% of the contract, meaning Texas will save the other $9 million they would have paid Fielder.
So of Fielder's $24 million, Rangers will get $6 million from Tigers; $9 million from insurance. Still responsible for $9 million
— Evan Grant (@Evan_P_Grant) August 9, 2016
The club was responsible for paying $18 million towards his $24 million per-year contract that the Detroit Tigers gave him back in 2012.
According to multiple reports, Fielder isn't technically retiring, but he has been deemed 'medically disabled', resulting in him still being owed his full contract.
Fielder hit.212 with eight homers and 44 RBIs in 89 games, although Daniels said Fielder had been playing through pain for most of the season.
Fielder underwent the first neck surgery in May 2014 and missed the rest of that season. He returned in time for the 2015 season and hit .305 to go along with 23 home runs and 98 RBI.
Fielder was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 1st round (7th pick) of the 2002 draft. He was traded by the Detroit Tigers to the Texas Rangers for Ian Kinsler in November 2013.
Fielder is a career .283 hitter with 319 career HRs in 12 MLB seasons. Fielder's father Cecil had a career record of 319 HRs as well.
The Texas Rangers have scheduled a press conference for sometime tomorrow.
*This is a developing story. Listen to 105.3 The Fan for the latest Rangers details.
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