According to Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports, the Texas Rangers and former Red Sox third baseman Adrian Beltre have agreed to contract, pending a physical. Jon Morosi of FOXSports.com believes the deal is a 5-year deal worth 96 million dollars.
Beltre had expressed throughout the offseason that his preference was to return to Boston after he turned down a 5-year 64 million dollar deal with the Oakland Athletics. However, his future with the Red Sox was in doubt after the team acquired first baseman Adrian Gonzalez from the Padres, shifting Kevin Youkilis to his spot at third base.
Beltre had a career year in Boston as he hit .321 with 28 home runs and 102 RBIs. Beltre earned All-Star honors for the Red Sox as he reminded many of his 2004 season with the Los Angeles Dodgers when he hit .334 and a career-high 48 home runs.
Beltre will be the Rangers everyday third baseman, as current third baseman Michael Young will likely serve as the team's designated hitter.