According to Yahoo.com baseball writer Tim Brown, 3B Adrian Beltre is nearing a six-year deal with the American League Champion Texas Rangers. SI.com writer Jon Heyman also verifies Brown’s report.
Beltre hit .321 last year with 28 home runs and a league leading 49 doubles for the Boston Red Sox. He also played spectacular defense while being named to the All Star team and winning a silver slugger award.
According to Beltre his early preference was to sign with the Red Sox, but once they traded for Adrian Gonzalez, there was no room for Beltre in Beantown. According to reports, the deal is between $90 and $100 million over 6 years. Beltre, 31, would be 37 at the end of this deal.
Current Texas 3B Michael Young has already said he would be willing to move to second base or first to accommodate signing Beltre.
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim were long thought to be the favorite for Beltre’s services especially after missing out on Carl Crawford earlier in the offseason. We will have more to come when this deal becomes official.
The Rangers open up the season April 1st at home against the Red Sox.
