Arlington, Texas ? Texas Rangers owner Tom Hicks does not intend to take another big financial hit this season.

The Rangers, again in last place in the AL West despite a $105 million payroll that is the third-largest in the major leagues, lost $31 million last year, and projections are that the team could lose more than that this season.

Texas Rangers owner Tom Hicks, seen in this file photo, does not intend to take another big financial hit this season. That means catcher Ivan Rodriguez likely will become a free agent.

“I’m not doing it any more. This is my last year of doing it,” Hicks said Sunday during the Rangers’ 2-1 loss at Detroit that ended a three-game weekend sweep. “We’re going to play within our means from now on, at least break even. Breaking even is at least a start and has got to happen.”

Hicks said that means 10-time All-Star catcher Ivan Rodriguez, who hasn’t played since April 14 because of a herniated disk, will likely get to test the free-agent market. Hicks has no plans to give the $15 million to $20 million a season the catcher’s agent, Jeff Moorad, indicated he will seek.

“It’s not realistic for that position,” Hicks said. “We love Pudge, but my guess is Pudge will test the market.”

Alex Rodriguez was signed to a $252 million, 10-year contract the largest deal in sports history before the 2000 season. Last winter, the Rangers signed No. 1 starter Chan Ho Park to a $65 million, five-year deal and brought home Juan Gonzalez ($12 million for two years), but both players were hurt for much of the first six weeks of the season.

The Rangers are 19-24 with six games on the road this week against Minnesota and Kansas City. Before losing five of six games, Texas was within one win of getting to .500 for the first time this season.

“I’m very disappointed,” Hicks said. “We’ve tried real hard to have a competitive team. I think I can understand the reasons. We’ve had great support, probably a lot better support than we deserved after two last-place finishes. But we’ve got to get our fans convinced that we’re headed back in the right direction.”