The Dodgers pursued Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre in advance of the recent revocable waiver deadline, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports (and on Twitter). A lack of interest — on the part of both the Texas organization and its veteran star — evidently scuttled talks between the clubs.
With full no-trade protection, Beltre controlled his own destiny. He was never formally presented with a deal for a yay or nay, though that simply isn’t how he and his long-time employer handled the matter. Rather, both GM Jon Daniels and Beltre labeled it a mutual decision not to pursue a trade.
For Beltre, passing on the opportunity meant missing out on a chance to serve as a reserve for his former team in Los Angeles — a role that ultimately was filled through the acquisition of David Freese. That would have meant a shot at a deep postseason run, it still wasn’t enough to pique Beltre’s interest. He reiterated yet again that he wishes to wrap up his playing career with the Rangers.
Where this situation is most interesting is in the evident regard both Beltre and the Rangers front office showed for one another. Beltre says he’d only have been interested in a deal if “it was a perfect situation for me and the organization.”
Daniels said that the Rangers would not have stood to recoup much in the way of a return (in terms of prospects and/or cost savings). He explained: “If [Beltre] had wanted to push for a trade, we would have honored that; for him to not to have done so says a lot about his relationship with the fans and his teammates. That piece of it, I’m in awe of.”
As Grant notes, it’s a rather unusual situation in several regards. While it’s still unclear whether Beltre will play another season, and if so whether it would be with the Rangers, this episode certainly makes it appear more likely that team and player will remain united from this point forward.
Ouch. Thanks again, FMFingC.
FMC declares $12 million per season is too much for a future Hall of Famer. He sells the team and becomes a billionaire.
Who says there’s a God.
Unless he could play 1B there was no path to getting everyday ABs
He would have had everyday AB’s, but everyday 3-4 obviously questionable.
True. He’d get a few more than Freese will, which won’t be much.
Adrian Beltre kind of reminds me of Joey Votto; even though Rangers are not his only team, and he’s an expiring contract.
Except Adrian is from DR, and his dark humor works.
Found the Cardinals fan.
Darn. I guess my user name was a dead giveaway.
Totally!
Class act on behalf both team and player!
Wow, he started with the Dodgers as a teenager, I am glad he didn’t accept the trade.
It would be good for him and the Dodgers
It was his decision and he obviously didn’t think so
Doesn’t he still live out in L.A. during the offseason with plans to build his retirement home in Cali? If that’s the case it’s all the more impressive that he wants to remain in Texas.
didn’t he sell his mansion to in n out owners?
I’m not entirely positive, but I believe that was where he lived when he played in L.A. last time. I know he’s big in real estate in different areas, and I thought I remembered reading somewhere that he’s building a new mansion in southern California for post-retirement.
He sued the dodgers as a teen. He hates them.
I highly doubt this, especially given the fact that there is likely noone of significance, including the owner, that is still there from when he used to be there
Quite right, there was never a lawsuit, but a dispute over whether the Dodgers knew he was underage when he was signed. In any case this is not in any way, shape or form the Dodger organization that signed him or let him go to Seattle.
Spot on. A lot of water under the bridge since then, and very few (if any) remaining faces.
I wonder if this is going to be his last season.
Why did he struggle while with Seattle, relative to his numbers with Texas and contract years with L.A. and Boston?
To quote one of the most well-informed Seattle fan that I know of on here:
“Beltre was a victim of Seattle’s insanely deep left-center gap; a dead zone for right-handed pull-hitters. But I would argue Seattle got their money’s worth in the end, largely due to his defense.”
He struggled with ankle problems in his last year in LA. Could have had something to do with that.
He played in 156 games that year and had an OPS of 1.000+. I wish I had his problems
Sorry for the off-topic.
Why do U.S. use “yay or nay”? I know that’s an old form of “yes or no”, but why do U.S. still use it?
Thanks!
Every time I see or hear about Beltre, I wish Boston had kept him. No offense to AGon, but it looks like that would have worked out better
I think this is pretty easy to see from the Rangers side. He’s a HOFer who will likely wear a Rangers cap in Cooperstown. He’s still a big draw for the fans. If next year is his last, it makes sense to maximize the return. He’ll be loved in Texas forever.
Also, it’s likely the return just wasn’t impressive, and likely was mostly cost savings.
Reports came out yesterday that the Dodgers tried to bring back Adrian Beltre and he wasn’t interested. I don’t know. Some guys just don’t care that much about winning and he appears to be one of them. I view him in a completely different light than I do Joe Mauer. Mauer is different because he grew up in Minnesota, was the #1 overall pick in the draft and the Twins are the only team he’s ever played for. So I can understand and agree with him not wanting to leave. But Beltre I don’t get it. The Rangers are the 4th different MLB team he’s played for and you’d think someone who’s only made the playoffs a couple of times would want one last shot at a ring but it’s clear that’s not the case with him.
hes been to the playoffs quite a bit. Rangers have the most AL west divisional titles since 2010 I think. Seems odd now because they are struggling but I think they have 4? Plus a wildcard berth or two.
Not sure I would describe Adrian as not wanting to win – for many years he played hurt in order to play in the World Series. He isn’t in LA due to the lack of playing time. Adrian isn’t the type to ride the bench. Also, Adrian has at least one year left to win one, if not, two.