The Rangers have activated veteran third baseman Adrian Beltre, as had been expected. He’s starting and hitting cleanup in tonight’s lineup. Infielder/outfielder Drew Robinson was optioned to open a spot on the active roster.
This’ll represent the first action on the year for Beltre, the 38-year-old star. He excelled yet again last year, slashing .300/.358/.521 over 640 plate appearances while continuing to play excellent defense at the hot corner. Beltre is owed $36MM in total for this year and next under the extension he signed with the Rangers last April.
Beltre was held out until now, though, with ongoing calf issues that took longer than expected to resolve. He hasn’t played in less than 111 games since way back in 1998, when Beltre debuted at 19 years of age. He has averaged 147 games per year ever since.
In Beltre’s stead, long-time top prospect Joey Gallo had an extended opportunity and perhaps earned a lengthier run at the MLB level. While his batting average (.198) and on-base percentage (.305) leave plenty to be desired, Gallo has launched 15 home runs and carries a .525 slugging percentage through fifty games of action.
For tonight, Gallo is sliding over to first base, though that’s due in part to a minor injury issue for incumbent first bagger Mike Napoli (per Anthony Andro, on Twitter). It’s not yet known just how the team will handle things in the long run, though. Gallo has spent some time in the outfield in the past and might appear there, too, particularly while Carlos Gomez is on the DL. The DH slot would also be an option, though Shin-Soo Choo has commanded the bulk of the time there thus far.
Any chance the rangers deal him at the trade deadline?
No. He’s making 18M this year and next. They would have to hope he plays great between now and the deadline and pay 90% of his contract.
He had a 6.1 fwar last year. There are certainly teams that would take him on without the rangers picking up 90% of his contract (Red Sox?). What a dumb comment…
exactly the reason it won’t happen is that the rangers won’t trade him
Great to see Beltre back.
One of few definite HOF guys currently playing.. have to say best overall 3b have ever seen in my time. Includes Killebrew, Mathews and of course, Robinson, This guy Beltre can just do everything.
You’ve got to be kidding!
Mike Schmidt? George Brett?
Yes, Beltre will be a HOFer, but Schmidt is the best 3B ever (I say that as a Braves/Chipper fan).
If you look at Jay Jaffe’s book about the HOF, and his JAWS scores, Beltre is fifth all-time among third basemen. He uses career value and peak value in his metric. The top four are Schmidt, Mathews, Boggs and Brett, which feels reasonable. Chipper is right behind. Beltre will end his career with 3000 hits and 400 homers, and was a terrific defensive layer. And 3B is the position with the least representation in the Hall.
I’ve got a bad feeling about this. Out for 2 months and no rehab assignment.
He played 3 extended spring training games in Arizona last week. They’ve been medically monitoring him constantly. Have no clue what your bad feeling is about.
Gonna assume here – that guys generally take more than 3 extended spring training games to get up to speed facing MLB pitchers…
I was assuming the same…..
Love Beltre so so so much. He’ll go in as a Ranger, right?
At Rangers FanFest, Beltre was asked this question, and unequivocally said he wants a T on his plaque