Yo Adrian: Texas Agrees to Sign Beltre

The Rangers have agreed to sign former Dodger, Mariner, and Red Sox third baseman Adrian Beltre.  First reports suggested that the deal will be worth $96 million over six years, pending the physical that will take place on Wednesday in Arlington.  The Rangers may be able to void the last year of the contract if Beltre fails to meet a plate appearance minimum agreed upon in the contract.  The Rangers will also forfeit their first round pick to the Red Sox, since Beltre was a Type A free agent who was offered arbitration, however the Rangers still have the Phillies' pick from when they signed Cliff Lee.  This move will shake up the Rangers offensively and defensively, and has potential to affect clubhouse chemistry as well.

Having Beltre here to play third base obviously affects Michael Young's role on the team.  Beltre is one of the best defenders at the hot corner in the league, and Young's range and arm strength appeared to weaken over the course of the 2010 season.  Young is expected to get at-bats as the designated hitter, as well as third base, second base, and shortstop.  When Young plays in the field, either Ian Kinsler, Elvis Andrus, or Beltre could get the day off, or just swap with Young and DH for that day.  If one of the infielders takes a true day off with Young in the field, then Ron Washington will have the option to let Josh Hamilton or Nelson Cruz play as the DH, which is important considering their injury histories.  What if Kinsler, who also has battled injuries each of the last several years, makes another stop on the DL?  Then Young could step in as the everyday second baseman until Kinsler is ready to return.  He'll play a similar role to the one Mark DeRosa played in his time here.  The point is, this move adds versatility to the club since Young is not limited to be a DH in the way Vladimir Guerrero is.

In terms of the lineup, Beltre basically replaces Guerrero, who will almost certainly not be back with the Rangers in 2011.  Beltre will turn 32 on April 7th, while Guerrero will turn 36 on February 9th, so Beltre should have a few extra good years in him compared to Vlad.  Offensively the two were quite comparable in 2010, stat-wise.  Guerrero hit .300, 29 homers, 115 RBI, 83 runs and 4 stolen bases in 9 attempts.  He also hit 27 doubles and walked 35 times, only striking out 60 times.  Beltre, playing for the Red Sox, hit .321, 28 homers, 102 RBI, 83 runs, and 2 stolen bases in 3 attempts.  Beltre led the league with 49 doubles, and he walked 40 times, compared to 82 strike outs.  I wouldn't think Beltre would hit in Guerrero's vacated clean-up spot in the order; instead I would guess he'd hit fifth behind Cruz, or maybe even sixth behind Kinsler.  Or Washington could overhaul his whole lineup, but even in that case, I don't see Beltre as a fourth place hitter.

Beltre's 2010 numbers represent the high end of what he is capable of offensively.  On average over his 13 year career, he has hit .275, 21 homers, 78 RBI, 70 runs, and 31 doubles.  Since he left the Dodgers after his huge 2004 season, he's averaged .275, 22 homers, 83 RBI, 76 runs, and 37 doubles.  That's pretty much in line with his career numbers, but he played five of those six years with the Mariners in a pitcher-friendly park, so his 2010 numbers with the Red Sox mostly helped bring up his Mariner numbers to his career averages.  Expect to see numbers closer to his career averages with the Rangers, rather than the line he posted with the Red Sox.  Beltre has been criticized in the past for putting up his best offensive years right before he hits free agency, suggesting he doesn't give his all unless it's a contract year.  On the other hand, 2009 was a contract year for the Mariners, and it was one of Beltre's worst, which is why he only got the one year contract with Boston last off season.

Besides his numbers, Beltre is cashing in on being widely regarded as one of the best defensive third basemen in the game.  He won Gold Gloves in 2007 and 2008 with Seattle.  He's being brought here to play behind a pitching staff that forces other teams to hit a lot of ground balls, and fewer should get past the third base position now with him there.  The combination of Beltre and Andrus has the potential to frustrate a lot of hitters who put the ball in play on the left side of the infield.

Off the field and in the clubhouse, the Rangers are taking a big gamble in reassigning Michael Young (again) and letting another team leader like Guerrero leave.  Chemistry was a big part of what made the 2010 club so successful, and messing with that formula could have dangerous results.

Beltre was high on the free agent wish list of the A's and Angels, so it's got to be disappointing for them to see him sign with the team they were both chasing all of last year.  However, this could open the door for Guerrero to return to the Angels, which I would hate to see.  I much prefer having him on our team as opposed to pitching to him in almost 20 games per season.

Although I see the bright spots and high points in this move, my first impression is still to be uneasy about it.  Not 'Chan Ho Park' uneasy, but uneasy none the less.  Mostly I worry about the ramifications of messing with Michael Young and losing Vlad Guerrero.  How much will Beltre's numbers regress, if at all, going from Fenway to The Ballpark?  He's kind of a goofy guy, too.  He won't let anybody touch his head, and gets violently angry if anybody tries to.  He doesn't wear a cup, which could explain why he has such quick hands at third base...he has no choice but to be that good.  Can he be a clubhouse leader for the many young hispanic players on this team, much like Guerrero was?  These are all concerns that come to my mind.

I was in the camp that was fine with keeping Guerrero as the DH and going to battle with almost the same offensive unit that the team had last year.  Change can be hard to accept, but it can also be for the better, which is what I'm going to hang my hat on, until further notice.  The Rangers are doing what they can to field a championship caliber team, and if they win it all over the next five to six years, it looks like Adrian Beltre will be a part of it.