Signing of Beltre adds instant punch to Seattle’s offense
SEATTLE — Talk about a nice swing.
Adrian Beltre signed a $64 million, five-year contract on Friday, joining the Seattle Mariners two days after another free-agent slugger, Richie Sexson, agreed to a four-year, $50 million deal.
The Mariners instantly installed one of the more potent lineups in the majors, a solid comeback for one of the weakest-hitting teams in baseball last season. The front office made good on a promise to fans after Seattle’s 99-loss season.
“Actions speak louder than words,” team chairman Howard Lincoln said. “We’ve just demonstrated that we were dead serious about turning things around as quickly as possible. I don’t think there was any hesitation to make these large financial commitments.”
Beltre passed a physical, the final step before completing the deal. The third baseman said it was tough to leave the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he spent his first seven years, but felt Seattle was a better fit for his family.
“It’s a great opportunity,” Beltre said. “It’s a great baseball city and a great organization. They’re going to have a great team. They want to be competitive sooner rather than later.”
Seattle finished a distant last in the A.L. West this past season, going 63-99 for its worst record since 1983. The Mariners were last in the league with only 136 homers and 698 runs.
The 25-year-old Beltre led the majors last season with 48 homers. He hit .334 with 121 RBIs, finished second to Barry Bonds in the N.L. MVP voting and also improved on defense by committing only 10 errors.
He is one of 36 players in baseball history with 100 home runs before turning 25. He hit No. 100 on April 6, joining Cal Ripken Jr. and Lou Gehrig as the three players with exactly 100 homers on their 25th birthday.
Beltre said Boston made him an offer but urged him to decide quickly, then signed Edgar Renteria. The Dodgers also tried to keep him, but Beltre rejected a guaranteed sixth year because he wants to be a free agent at age 30.
“He turned down a great deal of guaranteed money to come to Seattle,” agent Scott Boras said.
Beltre isn’t concerned about switching to the American League, nor does he worry his numbers could drop at Safeco Field. He noted that he’s already been playing in a pitcher’s ballpark at Dodger Stadium.
“We’ve played in some American League parks,” Beltre said. “I didn’t really keep stats on it, but I don’t think it will be hard to adjust.”
The situation worked out perfectly for Mariners general manager Bill Bavasi, who said Beltre’s age made him very appealing. Seattle also spoke with Carlos Delgado, but that would have required Sexson to move from first base to left field.
“The more we talked about it, the more this looked like the right move, a great move,” Bavasi said.
Beltre made $5 million last season, and figured to cash in after a career year in which he led the Dodgers to the N.L. West division title and their first postseason spot since 1988.
He became a free agent after the season, filing on the same day he had arthroscopic surgery to remove two large bone spurs from his left ankle.
The Mariners tried a lot of people at third base last season. Scott Spiezio led the team with 65 starts at the position, and batted just .215. He will strengthen the bench next season.