The Texas Rangers have a good core of younger players on their team, but one veteran to lead the way, and that's Adrian Beltre. Texas plans on keeping Beltre around a little longer, as they signed the third baseman to a two-year contract extension on Friday.
The deal is worth $36 million, keeping the veteran around through the 2018 season. Beltre has stated that he plans to retire as a member of the Rangers, but was eligible for free agency after this year, his final season of a six-year deal signed before the 2011 season. He does not plan on retiring any time soon, and the 37-year-old will not test free agency.
Despite him getting older, Beltre is still producing at high level, including recording the third-most hits in the majors since the 2012 season. Beltre stated about his age "Yeah, I heard a lot about age and I should be declining, but I don't buy into it until I feel it."
His numbers prove that he is far from feeling it, as he has missed the postseason just once in his first five seasons with the Rangers. That includes one World Series appearance, which ended in a loss to the Giants.
In 744 career games with Texas, Beltre has an average of .309, with 137 home runs and 468 RBIs. On the defensive side of the ball, he has won two of his four Gold Gloves while playing in Texas.
He has been an iron man at the hot corner, as only Brooks Robinson has played more games than Beltre at that position.
The third baseman made his debut as a 19-year-old in 1998, and in 19 years has a career average of .285 with 2,780 hits and 415 home runs. He has also recorded three cycles in his career, including one last August, despite playing through a torn ligament in his thumb.
Beltre had the goal of bringing a World Series title to Arlington, Texas when he signed with the Rangers, and intends on continuing his pursuit of that feat for the rest of his career.
The deal is worth $36 million, keeping the veteran around through the 2018 season. Beltre has stated that he plans to retire as a member of the Rangers, but was eligible for free agency after this year, his final season of a six-year deal signed before the 2011 season. He does not plan on retiring any time soon, and the 37-year-old will not test free agency.
Despite him getting older, Beltre is still producing at high level, including recording the third-most hits in the majors since the 2012 season. Beltre stated about his age "Yeah, I heard a lot about age and I should be declining, but I don't buy into it until I feel it."
His numbers prove that he is far from feeling it, as he has missed the postseason just once in his first five seasons with the Rangers. That includes one World Series appearance, which ended in a loss to the Giants.
In 744 career games with Texas, Beltre has an average of .309, with 137 home runs and 468 RBIs. On the defensive side of the ball, he has won two of his four Gold Gloves while playing in Texas.
He has been an iron man at the hot corner, as only Brooks Robinson has played more games than Beltre at that position.
The third baseman made his debut as a 19-year-old in 1998, and in 19 years has a career average of .285 with 2,780 hits and 415 home runs. He has also recorded three cycles in his career, including one last August, despite playing through a torn ligament in his thumb.
Beltre had the goal of bringing a World Series title to Arlington, Texas when he signed with the Rangers, and intends on continuing his pursuit of that feat for the rest of his career.
