The Texas Rangers decided to pick up a 2016 option in Adrian Beltre's contract, extending the third baseman through the 2016 season, the team announced Monday.
Rangers pick up Adrian Beltre’s 2016 option, Dioner Navarro wants out of Toronto and more MLB news
The Rangers rewarded Adrian Beltre by picking up his 2016 option a year early, while Dioner Navarro is still hoping for a trade out of Toronto.
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Beltre signed a six-year deal with the Rangers in 2011, with a $16 million option in the final year of the contract that would have vested if he reached 586 plate appearances in 2015. The Rangers chose to simply pick up the option anyway given how consistent the third baseman has been throughout his contract.
The 35-year-old Beltre batted .324/.388/.492 for Texas last season, hitting 19 home runs and making his fourth All-Star team in five years. While Beltre’s age makes this a somewhat risky decision, he is well worth the $16 million commitment assuming he stays healthy. On a Rangers team with numerous question marks, Beltre is clearly one player the club feels comfortable not having to worry about.
Blue Jays catcher Dioner Navarro said Monday that he asked the team for a trade right after Toronto signed Russell Martin to a five-year deal in November, according to Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com.
Navarro went on to admit that he is “disappointed” the club hasn’t dealt him elsewhere yet and is still hoping to be traded before the start of the season. After playing 139 games for the Blue Jays in 2014 and batting .274/.317/.395, Navarro doesn’t want to be relegated to a bench role in 2015.
The 31-year-old backstop did say he’ll be ready to help the team if he’s not traded prior to Opening Day.
Rangers sign utilityman Johnson
The Rangers signed Elliot Johnson to a minor league deal Monday, handing him an invite to big league spring training, the club announced.
Young infielder Jurickson Profar underwent surgery for a torn labrum earlier Monday and will miss the entire 2015 season, which left Texas in need of a little infield depth. Johnson fits the bill given his ability to play shortstop and second base, and the 30-year-old can also play in the outfield.
D-backs minor leaguer suspended for drug use
Diamondbacks minor leaguer Matt Railey was suspended 50 games after testing positive for amphetamines, MLB announced Monday.
Railey was Arizona’s third-round pick in the draft last summer out of a high school in Florida. He has just 13 professional games under his belt after playing rookie ball for the Missoula Osprey in 2014.
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