The Rangers have yet to present Adrian Beltre with a firm contract offer, the third baseman himself tells Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. “We’ve still got nothing to say ’yes’ or ’no,’ to,” Beltre told Grant. “I would have thought that we’d have that by now. But I’m not worrying about it by any means.” Grant adds that Beltre does not want to continue back-and-forth negotiations into the season, but Beltre did add that he’d consider offers if it were a means of a mere “yes” or “no” to a proposal from the Rangers. Such a scenario could indeed play out, as MLB Network’s Jon Heyman tweeted last night that talks between the Rangers and agent Scott Boras have been productive enough that they’ll continue into the regular season.
Beltre, who will turn 37 later this week, has reportedly been seeking a three-year deal that tops Pablo Sandoval’s $19MM average annual value, which would suggest a target of something along the lines of a three-year, $60MM contract. That’s a sizable commitment, considering any deal would kick in after this season, thus covering Beltre’s age-38 through age-40 seasons. However, based on his stellar production over the entirety of his first five seasons with Texas, it’s hard to argue that Beltre hasn’t earned a hefty payday. Since signing with the Rangers prior to the 2011 season, Beltre has batted .309/.358/.514, averaging 27 homers per season to go along with continually elite defense in spite of his advancing age. Even in a 2015 season that was marred by thumb and back injuries, Beltre slashed .287/.334/.453 with 18 home runs.
Of course, those injuries and Beltre’s age are the primary reasons that extending a three-year offer is such a risk-laden concept. Then again, if Beltre remains healthy this season and enjoys a typical season at the plate and in the field, Beltre should be able to land at least three years at a strong annual rate, even if it’s not from the Rangers. Set to be a free agent following the 2016 season, Beltre landed ninth on Tim Dierkes’ first installment of MLBTR’s 2016-17 free agent power rankings. It’s worth noting that in Grant’s column, he writes that GM Jon Daniels is open to the idea of making an in-season proposal, and considering Daniels’ previous comments about retaining Beltre beyond the 2016 campaign, it stands to reason that there’s a good chance some kind of offer will eventually be put forth. Whether that ultimately results in a new contract, though, is another matter.
Come back to Seattle and play first base? He would get to play with Felix, Robbie, Cruz, Seager. Just a possibility.
Probably the last place he would consider(respectively, I like the M’s also), other than Miami, Oakland, San Diego. He wasted 5y there during the prime of his career in that monstrous stadium. Bringing in the walls a few feet still doesn’t help. He’s looking to (probably) put some helping numbers onto HOF career, not go out with 3 more wasted years.
I hope they’re just being polite, they have Gallo.
Gallo is so good he is currently waiting in triple A.
Gallo, the next Chris Carter? Id keep Beltre as long as be stays productive.
I think Gallo is better than Carter (I certainly hope so). Obviously we won’t know until he gets some real playing time. Gallo will move to 1B I think anyway.
Something will probably get done, although it’ll likely be 2 years and not three…perhaps a vesting option or something. Very few players at this stage are worth the commitment but Beltre has shown little signs of slowing down to the point where he’d be a detriment to the team. Besides, another year or two will greatly enhance his already solid HOF resume. He probably gets in now, but if he reaches 3000+ hits and 460 or so homers he’d be a lock, especially with his tremendous defense.
Gallo needs development, also with morelands contract coming to an end if Gallo is what the Rangers need, he can shift to 1B and we can keep beltre. Beltre has far better defense and retaining him would be golden.
Its a bit shocking to me that Beltre has only made $165 MM during his almost 20 year career. Seemed like the Mariners contract was a much bigger deal when he signed it.
At 37, Beltre is a classic case of “wait and see”. See how he does this year, and then make him a QO. He might regress, or the QO might hurt his market to the point that going back is the best option.
I agree. I love Beltre and don’t want to jeopardize the relationship between him and the team but I don’t think signing a 37 year old to an extension in April is a smart move.
Beltre is my favorite player of all time but with that said I see no reason to extend him at 37 years old. If he goes out and continues producing this year and wants to finish his career here there will be plenty of time next offseason to get a deal done.
Why try to lock him up now and watch him get old this year?
With Beltre aging, losing some power, I would be scared to give him a lot of money. He’s had a great career, and would be a lock for the HOF had he never taken that trip to SEA. I believe he still gets in though.
If I were the Rangers, I’d simply offer qualifying offers to him until retirement.
I think the unique thing about Beltre is he is not losing his power. Without the injury last year I think he hits 20+ HR’s, which is right around his career norm. Plus he really is a line drive hitter anyway, so his slugging percentage is mainly what I am interested in. If he is driving in 80+ RBIs and slugging around .500 I’ll take it. Defensively Donaldson and Nolan A. are really the only guys that are better even at age 37. Maybe not a 3-year, but a 2-year for sure.
Theres no reason to do it now though. Let him play out the year and reavualuate things after the season. An opportunity to reallocate those funds to another area could present itself. This team has a maxed out payroll so you better be right if you extend him.
Oh I completely agree! I wasen’t suggesting extend him today. I think Adrain knows that too.
You don’t think Machado is better defensively?
Adrian Beltre, the greatest fielding third baseman Cal Ripken Jr. has ever seen?
Ripken isn’t even the discussion. So you played a billion straight games. I really don’t care because you weren’t very good between the lines.
Uh, it was a joke. Oriole fans will get it.