According to T.R. Sullivan, Texas Rangers officials are “not particularly optimistic” that a deal will be reached with free agent third baseman Adrian Beltre. This is contrary to reports from Enrique Rojas of ESPN Deportes, who reported earlier that a deal between Beltre and the Rangers was “imminent.”
Further complicating matters regarding Beltre is current Texas third baseman, Michael Young. Texas officials apparently have reached out to Young about a potential position change, but Young was “not receptive” to the idea. Young was well below average defensively at third in 2010, posting a DRS (defensive runs saved) of -13 and a UZR/150 of -5.8. Beltre would represent a substantial upgrade over Young defensively as Beltre posted a DRS of +10 and a UZR/150 of 12.7.
Beltre had been rumored to sign with the Los Angeles Angels before the reports that a deal was imminent between Beltre and the Rangers.