Rangers Near Deal With Gold Glove Third Baseman?

Rumors are swirling that the Texas Rangers are near a deal with All-Star Adrian Beltre. While ESPNDeportes.com is reporting that a 5-year deal is being negotiated, the Dallas Morning News says that both sides are indeed talking, but a deal is not near completion.

Last week, Team President Nolan Ryan said of Beltre: "If you looked at the free agent market right now, he's probably the premier free agent that's still unsigned."

If Texas does move forward with a deal for Beltre, it would not only keep his bat and top-tier glove work out of Anaheim (Beltre's other supposed suitor) but would give the Rangers a huge upgrade defensively. Last season, Michael Young proved that at this stage of his career, he simply cannot be anything more than a marginal player at third. A deal with Beltre would almost certainly make Young the Rangers full-time DH as they have thus far come up short in their efforts to re-sign Vladamir Guerrero.

Personally, I'm not thrilled at the idea of giving Beltre a 5 or 6 year contract as his offensive numbers clearly spike during walk years. In my view, committing a huge multi-year deal to him is definitely a gamble.

No doubt the Boston Red Sox are hoping Texas gets the deal done as it would guarantee them Texas' unprotected first round draft pick as compensation. Were Beltre to sign with the Angels or Oakland A's, Boston would only receive a 1st round supplemental pick (given at the end of the round) and a second round selection.

Beltre hit .321 with 28 homers and 102 RBIs in 154 games last season with the Boston Red Sox.