Multiple industry sources tell John Tomase of the Boston Herald that the Red Sox have "significant" interest in free agent third baseman Adrian Beltre. Mike Lowell is the incumbent at third base, but the Red Sox are talking about moving him perhaps to the Rangers. Scott Boras, who represents Beltre, said today that some teams would consider moving their current third baseman for Beltre.
Beltre is a Type B free agent, so the team that signs him won't have to surrender a draft pick. The Mariners will obtain a supplementary rounder if Beltre leaves the Pacific Northwest.
Beltre figures to demand a hefty contract. Tomase says "it's believed that" Beltre wants a four or five year deal worth $13MM or so per season. Ed Price of AOL FanHouse says Beltre's asking for $10-11MM per season.
The 30-year-old hasn't come close to matching the 48 homers he hit in 2004, but he still has 25-homer power and he's been a consistently strong defender, according to UZR/150.
