Free agency began at 4:00 Central yesterday.

The Rangers did not make qualifying offers to Andrew Cashner or to Carlos Gomez, officially making them free agents.

Any player receiving the qualifying offer of $17.4 million has five days to decide whether he wants to accept it.

Around MLB, these nine players received qualifying offers: Jake Arrieta, Lorenzo Cain, Alex Cobb, Wade Davis, Greg Holland, Eric Hosmer, Lance Lynn, Mike Moustakas and Carlos Santana. Coincidentally, those nine are the exact players the Rangers need if they have any hope of making a long run in the playoffs in 2018.

Also, by declining their options, the Rangers said goodbye to Mike Napoli and Tony Barnette.

For now.

They can always re-sign any of the players they let go, later.