Arbitration Eligibles: Texas Rangers

The Rangers are next in our 2013 Arbitration Eligibles series. Matt Swartz's salary projections are below.

• First time: Neftali Feliz ($3.1MM)
• Second time: Matt Harrison ($6.1MM)
• Third time: David Murphy ($5.6MM), Geovany Soto ($4.6MM)

The Rangers’ class of arbitration eligible players includes three major contributors and one player likely to be non-tendered.

Soto, the club’s lone non-tender candidate, struggled at the plate in Chicago then hit poorly after joining the Rangers. With a projected salary of $4.6MM, he’s expected to be cut loose by the end of the month. Back in August I looked at Soto’s case in detail, suggesting a non-tender was likely.

Feliz's salary is fairly difficult to project because of his recent role change and injury. The 24-year-old right-hander spent most of his career as a reliever, and MLBTR projects a $3.1MM salary based mostly on his relief work. Feliz, who underwent Tommy John surgery in August, will certainly be tendered a contract even though he’s expected to miss most of next season.

Harrison and Murphy both project to earn salaries in the $6MM range. Perhaps the Rangers will explore a possible extension with Harrison in order prolong his stay in Texas beyond 2014. Murphy could also be an extension candidate following a particularly productive season.

Assuming the Rangers tender contracts to Feliz, Harrison and Murphy, they’ll have committed roughly $14.8MM to three players in 2013.

Matt Swartz's arbitration projections are available exclusively at MLB Trade Rumors. To read more about his projection model, check out this series of posts.