By Jon Machota
FOXSportsSouthwest.com Special Contributor
February 18, 2011
The Texas Rangers announced Thursday that they have agreed to terms on 2011 contracts with closer Neftali Feliz, outfielder Julio Borbon and six other players.
After setting a rookie record with 40 saves and earning American League Rookie of the Year honors, Feliz was awarded with $457,160. Quite the bargain for the Rangers, who are giving the hard throwing right hander a shot at starting during spring training.
Borbon, who hit .276 with 15 stolen bases in 137 games last season, received the biggest contract, getting $490,000.
The other six players included left-handers Derek Holland ($431,810) and Michael Kirkman ($423,000) to go along with outfielder Engle Beltre, left-handers Miguel De Los Santos and Zach Phillips and righty Mason Tobin, who all received the major league minimum $414,000.
Holland went 3-4 in 10 starts last season for the American League champs. He also earned a victory in the Rangers 10-3 ALCS Game 4 win over the New York Yankees.
Kirkman is a 24-year-old who only pitched 16.1 innings last season.
