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Texas Rangers extend Adrian Beltre's deal through 2016 - ESPN Dallas
SURPRISE, Ariz. -- The Texas Rangers announced Monday they have extended the contract of third baseman Adrian Beltre through the 2016 season.
The extension is actually an amendment of the original contract Beltre signed on Jan. 5, 2011. In that deal, the first five years and $80 million were guaranteed with an option in 2016 that could have paid Beltre $16 million if he hit specific incentives in plate appearances last year and/or in 2015.
Under the amendment announced Monday, Beltre is guaranteed $16 million this year and $18 million in 2016, The Associated Press reported.
Texas could have voided the final year if Beltre failed to reach the incentives but general manager Jon Daniels clearly stated Sunday he didn't intend on letting the issue go that far.
"We'll address that relatively soon," Daniels said Sunday. "Our intent is for [plate appearances] to not be a factor. I don't want that to be a distraction or even a story going into the year.
"We would like Adrian to finish his career as a Ranger," Daniels said.
Beltre, who turns 36 in April, said he wanted to remain with the Rangers -- as long as the team didn't decide to undergo a change in philosophy and a rebuild. Obviously, the 4-time All-Star liked what he heard.
"I want to win a World Series and I want to be on a team thinking like that," Beltre said Sunday.
In 2014, Beltre batted .324 with 19 home runs and 77 RBIs despite injuries depleting the lineup of protection or punch while playing Gold Glove quality defense.
Beltre has produced a .315 batting average with a .364 on-base percentage and .530 slugging percentage over his first four seasons with Texas from 2011-14, averaging 29 home runs and 94 RBI per year.
He has been selected Rangers Player of the Year for each of the past three seasons. In 2014, he was selected to the All-Star Game for a fourth time and landed his fourth career Silver Slugger Award while ranking among American League leaders in on-base percentage (3rd, .388) and batting average (4th, .324).
The extension is actually an amendment of the original contract Beltre signed on Jan. 5, 2011. In that deal, the first five years and $80 million were guaranteed with an option in 2016 that could have paid Beltre $16 million if he hit specific incentives in plate appearances last year and/or in 2015.
Under the amendment announced Monday, Beltre is guaranteed $16 million this year and $18 million in 2016, The Associated Press reported.
Texas could have voided the final year if Beltre failed to reach the incentives but general manager Jon Daniels clearly stated Sunday he didn't intend on letting the issue go that far.
"We'll address that relatively soon," Daniels said Sunday. "Our intent is for [plate appearances] to not be a factor. I don't want that to be a distraction or even a story going into the year.
"We would like Adrian to finish his career as a Ranger," Daniels said.
Beltre, who turns 36 in April, said he wanted to remain with the Rangers -- as long as the team didn't decide to undergo a change in philosophy and a rebuild. Obviously, the 4-time All-Star liked what he heard.
"I want to win a World Series and I want to be on a team thinking like that," Beltre said Sunday.
In 2014, Beltre batted .324 with 19 home runs and 77 RBIs despite injuries depleting the lineup of protection or punch while playing Gold Glove quality defense.
Beltre has produced a .315 batting average with a .364 on-base percentage and .530 slugging percentage over his first four seasons with Texas from 2011-14, averaging 29 home runs and 94 RBI per year.
He has been selected Rangers Player of the Year for each of the past three seasons. In 2014, he was selected to the All-Star Game for a fourth time and landed his fourth career Silver Slugger Award while ranking among American League leaders in on-base percentage (3rd, .388) and batting average (4th, .324).