The Ranger Reporter

Well, the Rangers have a new third baseman.  They locked up slugger Adrian Beltre to a six year, $96 million and all that appears to be on the table is the physical.  Just as important, Michael Young has agreed to move again, and he’ll be the team’s DH most of the time and when he’s not, he’ll be filling in at one of the infield spots.

My biggest concern is that the Rangers are putting up money for Beltre at his peak.  The Mariners got burned when they signed him to a huge deal and while Beltre was good for them, he was only good and we’re paying “great” money.  If he plays like he did in 2010, I’m not going to have any complaints.   If he plays like he did in 2008, he’ll help the team but not live up to the $16 million per year we’re paying him.

Still, having Beltre in the lineup will help guys like Josh Hamilton and Michael Young.  At some point in time, the Rangers are going to have to contend with the big raise Hamilton is going to get though.  He’ll be a free agent in 2013 and if he continues to play like he did last year, we could be talking about an A-Rod sized contract so making that fit with deals already on the books could be tough.

The Rangers could really use slugging third baseman Adrian Beltre in their lineup.  Conversely, Beltre is one of the last big sticks left hanging during this offseason.  You’d think it was a match made in heaven after the Angels pulled their bid for Beltre but it looks like the third baseman is still holding out.  A rumor popped up that the Rangers were giving Beltre a six year, $96 million deal but when they asked the club, they played mum.

Of course if the Rangers sign Beltre, they have to figure out what to do with Michael Young, who’s been bounced around the infield the past year years.  Young made some noise when they asked him to move to third so it’ll be interesting to see what happens if Beltre is in the fold and he has to move again (the piece speculates he’ll DH but then fill in at various spots in the infield).  Young had a good 2010 and Beltre is inconsistent but when it comes to the mitt, Beltre is definitely the surer hand.  Apparently the Rockies are interested in Young, but not the $48 million they owe him over the next three years.  Of course a lot of this could be posturing to get the Angels back into the mix.

In other news, Baseball Prospectus has a piece on the Rangers and their 2010 increase in salary (and at who’s expense it came at).  Also, Buster Olney’s latest is on the Rangers and how Beltre would be a good fit.

It took $425,000 but the 16 year old Venezuelan shortstop, Rougned Odor, signed with the Texas Rangers today.  Apparently this kid can rake but the piece says he’ll most likely eventually move to second base.  If you subscribe to Baseball America, they have the complete scouting report on the kid. I like how they talk about his batting eye and they project him to eventually be able to hit 15-20 home runs.  Definitely a kid worth watching and be sure to check out the video of him and his smooth swing.