The Rangers are interested in extending Adrian Beltre beyond the 2016 season, which is slated to be the final year of his contract, GM Jon Daniels told reporters, including MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan (Twitter link). The team’s hope is that Beltre will finish his potentially Hall-of-Fame career as a member of the Rangers.
Guaranteeing Beltre a contract into his age-38 season (or beyond) more than a year in advance carries risk, to be sure, but he remains a quite productive player despite the fact that he’ll turn 37 in April. Beltre just completed a season in which he batted .287/.334/.453 despite battling through a serious thumb injury and some late back issues as well. (Beltre’s surgically repaired thumb is healing well this offseason, Sullivan added above.) And, in spite of his relatively advanced age, Beltre still drew rave reviews from defensive metrics in 2015 (+18 DRS, +11.8 UZR).
While contemplating the risk associated with Beltre’s age and recent injury history, the Rangers must consider the future of prospect Joey Gallo. The left-handed hitter possesses as much pop as anyone in baseball, with scouts placing an 80-grade on his power. Gallo has 40-homer potential in the Majors, though he also brings a propensity for strikeouts with that power upside, and there’s no guarantee that he’ll stick at third base. The Rangers began playing him in left field in 2015 and could permanently transition him to the outfield, clearing a path to playing time for Beltre in 2017 while still finding a way to work Gallo’s bat into the lineup if he can improve on his contact abilities.
It’s not clear exactly how long Beltre hopes to continue his playing career, but because he remains so productive, it’s easy to envision him seeking multiple years beyond the upcoming campaign. Productive elder statesmen such as David Ortiz and Carlos Beltran have recently signed away their age-38 and age-39 seasons for $15-16MM per season, though Beltre, of course, comes with significantly more defensive value than either player.
“…Beltre, of course, comes with significantly more defensive value than either player..”
Please tell me you had a small smile on your face when you wrote that.
Real talk, it really is incredible that Beltre is still able to produce at such a high level in his later years. Despite being trapped in Seattle those years on a deal that people said was a bust (stats argue otherwise),
Beltre could gamble on himself and test the market next offseason – but he has to stay healthy and he has to continue producing on both offensively and defensively. If he can still field well, his market will be quite good as he would not be limited to the AL. Would that be enough to push his price tag up into the $14-$16MM AAV?
Ah man, I didn’t finish my comment. I was going to say that despite those years in Seattle hurting him offensively, he’s still a HOF candidate and I think he’ll get in.
I thought he’d retire.
Why would he retire at the doorstep of 3000 hits?
He will probably get something similar to Ortiz’s AAV. I cant imagine Beltre being worth blocking Gallo though
I can’t imagine Joey Gallo playing better defensive or hitting for a higher average than a 40 year old Beltre. Not to say Gallo won’t, but I don’t see him ever getting close to the same level defensively as Beltre. Including Beltre’s 38 and 39 years.
He is a future HOFer and still one of the most productive players at the position. He is very much worth blocking Gallo who barely hit above .200 last season in the majors and I think was below .200 at AAA. Gallo showed major holes in his swing (specifically fastballs up in the zone) that were exploited to the point where he couldn’t even make contact late in the season and was not very impressive defensively either. He might be better suited in the outfield where there is an opportunity for him but he still has a lot of developing to do before he is a major league player.
People get in some twisted mind zone with these prospects. Like a guy is your top prospect and therefor he’s better than one of the top 10 position players in baseball.
I like the idea of keeping Beltre for a couple more years and optioning Gallo to the minors for the next 2-3 years, however long they can. Repress his service time as much as possible so if he turns out great you’d basically get like nine years of high-end third base play without giving out a nine-figure contract.
That may not be necessary. The Rangers clearly want Beltre to wear a Texas cap on his HOF plaque. Gallo can play other positions or DH if his bat pushes the issue.
19th most valuable player in baseball that received MVP votes(7th place I believe) while playing four months with a torn ligament in his thumb. Shame on you.
In 2016 belted going to win his first ring with rangers
Never ever quit
Let win that World Series for beltre 2016
Forget what Gallo hit in the bigs this year. Remember that Mike Schmidt hit under 200 his rookie season and did all right. The reason for having a minor league system is to bring young players to the club replacing the higher priced talent. Beltre was a wonderful signing for Texas. Remember, he was their rebound choice after Cliff Lee signed with Philly. Texas was fortunate for that as it turns out. But Adrian is 37 this year and while still good defensively and a good clubhouse guy to have…..there comes a time when a team has to move on. If Gallo is the guy the Rangers feel can be a big asset in the lineup and do OK at third….then make the change after next year and let Beltre get hit #3000 in someone else’s uniform.
Except Gallo doesn’t have the defense to last at 3B. He’ll end up being a COF/1B..Beltre is still the best hitter on this team.