Texas Rangers Sign Adrian Beltre to two year contract extension

The Texas Rangers have locked up their all-star third baseman, Adrian Beltre, to a deal that could possibly keep him in Texas for the rest of his career.

Adrian Beltre has been a key contributor to the recent success of the Texas Rangers, and with this new 2 year, $36 million deal, the club will be able to keep him through the 2018 season.  Beltre originally signed with the Rangers in 2011 for a 6 year, $96 million deal. However, the contract was reworked a couple years ago so the Rangers wouldn’t be able to void his contract for the 2016 season, which means that the 37 year-old third baseman was set to hit free agency after this year.

As a Ranger, Beltre has continued to put up the great numbers that he did in the prime of his career. During his time in Texas, Beltre made three all-star teams and won two Silver Slugger awards. In addition, he has hit over .280 every single year, including three seasons in which he finished with an over .300 batting average. Beltre also hit 30 or more home runs in a season from 2011-2013. Based on these numbers and the success of the franchise, the deal that the two sides agreed to in 2011 seems to have been a win-win for both sides.

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In terms of what the future holds with this new deal it is difficult to tell. Not many players are able to get contract extensions during their age 37 season, but in this case the new deal is definitely warranted based on how Beltre has been able to consistently produce. Granted he may not be the power hitter that he was a few seasons ago, as he has failed to hit 20 or more homers in each of the past two seasons. He also has not been able to play in as many games as he did in the past. But even so, the all-star third baseman has managed to keep being one of the most dangerous offensive third baseman in the league even during that later stages of his career.

Two seasons ago, Beltre finished the year with a .388 on-base percentage, which tied his career-high that he had previously set in 2004. Not many players go setting career-high numbers so deep into the major league careers. Last season, he finished in the top ten among third baseman in batting average and on-base percentage, while also finishing just outside the top ten in home runs and doubles. Beltre has been one of those rare players that continue to put up big numbers even as the seasons start to pile up.

In terms of defense, Beltre ended the 2015 season 15th among third baseman in fielding percentage, but did have the sixth most errors among players at his position. However, he has been known to be a great defender, collecting four gold gloves over the course of his career in part due to his knack for making spectacular plays at the hot corner. It is not unusual for players to regress defensively as they get older, and as long as he can be average in the field, Beltre’s offensive numbers should be able to justify the money he’s going to make.

This deal also keeps Adrian Beltre as one of the top five most expensive third baseman in the league, however with a couple rising stars at the position that may change. The money Texas is giving Beltre does not seem unreasonable, especially because it’s a short term deal, but the Rangers are certainly taking a risk. Age eventually hits every player and just because it hasn’t reared it’s ugly head on the veteran third baseman yet, it doesn’t mean that it won’t in the next couple seasons. The good news is that when watching Beltre last year and in the beginning of this season, he still looks and acts like he has a lot of tread left on the tires.

Overall, just like the deal he signed in 2011, this extension looks to be a good decision for both sides. Texas has a window to be competitive coming off a playoff appearance last season and guaranteeing that a third baseman like Adrian Beltre will be on your team for the next couple years will only improve their chances of continuing the club’s success.

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