The Texas Rangers and star third baseman Adrian Beltre agreed to a two-year contract extension Friday, according to MLB.com’s TR Sullivan.
The extension is reportedly valued at $18 million annually. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram‘s Jeff Wilson confirmed the deal will be worth $36 million total.
The 37-year-old hasn’t shown signs of slowing down later in his career. In 2015, he hit .287 with 18 home runs, 83 RBI and 83 runs in 143 games while continuing to play excellent defense.
Beltre helps to anchor an older offensive core that also includes Shin-Soo Choo, Prince Fielder and Josh Hamilton, each over 30 as well.
The Rangers managed to win the AL West last season despite Yu Darvish, Derek Holland and Matt Harrison combining to start just 13 games. A healthier pitching staff—bolstered by last season’s trade-deadline addition of Cole Hamels—has expectations high for Beltre and Co. this year.
Signing him to a deal now ensures that he can’t test free agency after the 2016 season and also means he’ll almost assuredly finish his career in Texas.
Entering Friday night, he was just 220 hits away from reaching the 3,000 plateau for his career, which would be the crowning achievement of what already appears to be a Hall of Fame resume, and is a mark he should be able to reach before retirement.
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