Adrian Beltre Reportedly Agrees to New Contract with Rangers

The Texas Rangers and third baseman Adrian Beltre have reportedly agreed to a contract extension.

TR Sullivan of MLB.com reported the Rangers and Beltre agreed to a two-year deal worth $18 million per year.

On March 9, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reported Beltre would have liked a three-year extension, but there's a "significant gap" between the two sides. Heyman added Beltre is thought to want at least what Pablo Sandoval is making with the Boston Red Sox at $19 million per year.

Beltre is coming off another rock-solid season at the plate for Texas. He posted a .334 on-base percentage with 18 home runs in 143 games. He's shown no signs of slowing down since arriving to the club in 2011, racking up 135 homers across five seasons heading into 2016.

Christopher Fittz of WFAA Sports further highlighted the high-level impact Beltre's made with the Rangers in a relatively short time period:

His strong defense is a key part of that success. He's posted a positive Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) figure in all but one season, including a plus-18 DRS mark in 2015, according to FanGraphs.

Beltre would have become an unrestricted free agent next winter if the sides weren't able to reach an agreement.

Typically a team would be hesitant to re-sign a player who will turn 37 early in the season, but his continued strong play mitigates some of that general risk. He's still an important piece of the lineup, even though his overall power numbers have dipped a bit over the past two years.

Locking him up to a new contract allows Beltre to focus on the season without the potential of free agency looming over him. Keeping him in a Rangers uniform until he's ready to call it quits makes sense for both sides.