Red Sox Reach Deal With 3B Beltre, Now +650 To Win World Series

Sports News - January 5th, 2010 - Written By John

The Boston Red Sox have been active with off-season signings and that continued this week. According to multiple outlets, the team has reached a deal with free-agent Adrian Beltre, that would send him to Boston in a one-year agreement worth $10 million.

Beltre will be replacing current third baseman Mike Lowell, who the the Red Sox have been shopping this season. Adrian Beltre would be the latest addition by the Red Sox to improve their defense.

The Red Sox have had their eye on Beltre since back in November, and now they have him. Stipulations in the contract indicate that Beltre would receive a base salary of $9 million plus incentives, as well as an option for the 2011 season worth reportedly $5 million according to ESPN.

The deal will be made official following a physical that Beltre will undergo at some point this week.

In 2004 with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Beltre had his best season when he finished second in MVP voting. That year, Beltre had a .334 batting average to go along with 48 home runs and 121 RBI. That season came just in time as it was a contract year. The negotiations to come would earn him a five-year, $64 million contract with the Seattle Mariners, which he spent the last three years with.

Throughout his career, Beltre has been a .270 hitter, averaging around 20 home-runs and 75 RBI per season. He played 111 games with the Seattle Mariners in 2009, but hit just eight home runs and only drove in 44 RBI.

In 2007 and 2008, Beltre won the American League Gold Glove for his play at third base. Beltre has built a reputation as being one of the top defenders in all of baseball, not just at the hot corner. A defensive addition such as Beltre is sure to help Boston, a team widely considered one of the worst defensive teams in 2009.

Something to note, Beltre has historically struggled the most at the three parks that more than half of Red Sox games will be played at in 2010. At Fenway Park., Beltre is a career .179 hitter, .185 at Tropicana Field, home of the Tampa Rays, and .219 in New York according to ESPN. Of 162 games, Beltre could play in up to 99 of the Sox games in those three venues/cities.

Despite low numbers, Beltre provides a much higher upside than Lowell

Lowell is in the twilight of his career and is now battling a thumb injury, requiring surgery. It was thought that a deal was in place to send Lowell to the Texas Rangers, but his injury report forced the club to back off a bit. ESPN's Jerry Crasnick has also been leaking talks with the New York Mets, but that deal is also expected to fall through. Boston owes Lowell $12 million next season, and is looking to find a deal that would allow it to share that contract with another team.

Overall, the move should help Boston return to the World Series. Currently, MLB Betting Lines have the Red Sox listed as +650 according to the sportsbook at DSI.com.