Future Padre - Adrian Beltre (?)

Not all of the potential future Padres are free agents…

Adrian Beltre – Prior to the 2005 season Adrian Beltre signed a 5-year, $64 million contract with the Seattle Mariners. MLB4U.com reports that the contract included a $7m signing bonus and Beltre receives $10-12 annual salaries…

Beltre has not won a Gold Glove, but he has a reputation for playing Gold Glove-caliber defense at the hot corner. His offense has been inconsistent (particularly his batting averages and his on-base percentage). He had two consecutive seasons with on-base percentages above .350 (1999: .352 and 2000: .360) and then went three consecutive years with .310 or worse (.310, .303, and .290). Then, in 2004, his free agency year, Beltre posted a career-best .388 on-base percentage… Durring those same seasons his batting average fluctuated between .240 and .334.

When healthy however, Beltre can be counted on for 35 doubles and 20+ home runs annually. The last three years, Beltre has hit 32, 36, and 39 doubles, and 48, 19, and 25 home runs. Obviously Beltre is not the most consistent offensive threat, but he does play excellent defense and would be an upgrade over last year’s collective production out of third base.

Seattle will likely entertain offers for Beltre and he would not likely require a big return (the more Seattle is willing to pick of Beltre’s contract, the better the prospect(s) the Mariners will receive in return). However, MLB4U.com reports that Beltre has a limited no trade clause; he can veto 8 destinations. San Diego is reportedly one of those 8 locations.

Beltre will turn 28 in April next year. So he is a reasonable bet to have a few solid years while playing out the last three years of the contract.

1998: 77 games .215/.278/.369
1999: 152 games .275/.352/.428
2000: 138 games .290/.360/.475
2001: 126 games .265/.310/.411
2002: 159 games .257/.303/.426
2003: 158 games .240/.290/.424
2004: 156 games .334/.388/.629
2005: 156 games .255/.303/.413
2006: 156 games .268/.328/.465

While Beltre’s career average is .271/.328/.457 (.785 OPS) I expect his 2007-9 seasons (the remaining seasons on his contract) to resemble his 2000 (.836 OPS) and 2006 (.793) seasons more than his 2003 (.714) and 2005 (.716) ones.

Adrian Beltre will not be as productive as Aramis Ramirez, but he won’t cost as much either. This would allow his new team to invest money in other areas. His new team could also get Seattle to pick up a portion of money still owed to Beltre.