Listen, we know it’s tough to catch up on everything happening in the baseball world each morning. There are all kinds of stories, rumors, game coverage, and Vines of dudes getting hit in the beans every day. Trying to find all of it while on your way to work or sitting at your desk just isn’t easy. It’s OK, though, we’re going to do the heavy lifting for you each morning, and find the things you need to see from within the SB Nation baseball network as well as from elsewhere. Please hold your applause until the end, or at least until after you subscribe to the newsletter.
Adrian Beltre is probably going to retire as a Ranger
Sunday’s Say Hey includes Adrian Beltre’s new contract making it even more likely he’ll end his career in Texas, Bryce Harper changing MLB one rule at a time, and an important investigation into a mascot’s birthday.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
* * *
With Adrian Beltre set to hit free agency after the 2016 season, there have been contract extension rumors floating around since the offseason. After negotiations that ran through spring training, the Rangers agreed to a two-year, $36 million deal with their third baseman. While Beltre has traveled around a bit through his long career, he and Texas have been a true match made in heaven over the latter portion of his time in the majors. With this new contract bringing him through his age-39 season, it appears very likely that he won’t wear another uniform before his career comes to close.
If you recall, his original six-year, $96 million deal with the Rangers prior to the 2011 season got mixed reviews. Although he was coming off a fantastic season with the Red Sox, that year was preceded by some solid but lackluster campaigns with the Mariners. He has since silenced any doubters, hitting an impressive .309/.358/.515 to go along with his typical great defense since joining the Rangers. Even more than that production, though, Beltre has been the epitome of a fun baseball player. Everything including his highlight-reel defense, his one-legged home runs swings, his dismay towards teammate’s touching his head and his general goofiness alongside Elvis Andrus has cemented his place as a uniquely entertaining athlete.
With his final landing spot apparently being in place, many have been moved to think about Beltre’s career as a whole. While many think of him a sure-fire Hall of Famer, it is far from a unanimous opinion. One would have to imagine that will change over the next eight years, however. Not only do all of the metrics — including Jay Jaffe’s JAWS — point to him being a shoo-in, he’s only 220 hits from 3,000 in his career. Assuming he does eventually get his plaque in Cooperstown, there’s little doubt that he’ll be donning a Rangers cap.
- You want to know how amazing Bryce Harper is? When everyone thought he was going to be punished for breaking a dumb rule, MLB decided to just change the rule instead.
- Jacob deGrom has been placed on the emergency family list as his newborn baby is dealing with complications. Luckily, they don’t appear to be life-threatening, but of course we all wish the deGrom family all the best during this undoubtedly tough time.
- The A’s have been bad on offense. Like, really bad. Like, really, really bad.
- If there’s one debate that needed to be had, it’s whether Ryan Howard is better than Joe DiMaggio.
- Sluggerrr, the Royals’ mascot, celebrated his 20th birthday last weekend, but none of it really seems right. Important work being done here.
- The Yankees could have an effective reliever in Johnny Barbato. Because if there’s one thing the Yankees need, it’s a terrifying late-inning reliever.
- The Cardinals’ depth has made for some tough roster decisions, and Matt Adams is getting the short end of the stick right now.
- You can bet on everything, including the first manager to be fired. Vegas believes it will be Fredi Gonzalez.
- Vincent Velazquez did something incredible on Thursday, and Sam Miller wrote about it. I shouldn’t really need to say any more.
- Cleveland already has one of the scariest rotations in the game, and they could have another big-time starter ready to make the leap.
See More:
