MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JUNE 23: Texas Rangers Designated hitter Adrian Beltre (29) hits a single during a MLB game between the Minnesota Twins and Texas Rangers on June 23, 2018 at Target Field in Minneapolis, MN.(Photo by Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The Texas Rangers are set to field trade offers for Adrian Beltre and these five teams should have some interest.
Despite a current seven-game winning streak (entering Sunday), the Texas Rangers are still 10 games below .500 (34-44) and 17 games back in the basement of the AL West.
Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News confirmed a move into sell-mode, with third baseman Adrian Beltre among the players specifically reported to be available.
Beltre has missed time this season with a recurring hamstring issue. But after going 3-for-5 with a home run against the Minnesota Twins on Saturday he is hitting .314/.365/.456 with four home runs, 25 RBI and 10 doubles in 47 games (169 at-bats).
At 39 years old, he’s still an above-average hitter.
Beltre’s appeal to contending should be bolstered by his being on an expiring contract.
Being able to serve as a DH on occasion may push his market primarily toward American League teams, but Beltre was a Gold Glover in 2016 and he has been worth five Defensive Runs Saved so far this year.
Beltre has some rumored interest from a couple teams already and these five teams should be in the mix to make a deal for the future Hall of Famer.
Mandatory Credit: Norm Hall/Getty Images
5. Arizona Diamondbacks
Even with hits in four of his last five games, the Diamondbacks haven’t gotten much from Jake Lamb since he returned from shoulder and elbow issues in mid-May (.210/.309/.381 over 29 games).
He also has to be benched against left-handed starters, with a .150 average against southpaws so far this season (.158 for his career).
As a right-handed hitter who hits left-handers well, Beltre would fit nicely in Arizona.
A platoon with Lamb might be a little awkward to configure, since Beltre’s platoon splits suggest he can be an every day player (health-permitting), but manager Torey Lovullo can surely find an effective way to use Lamb as primarily a bench bat.