Adrian Beltre and the Boston Red Sox finalized a one-year contract Thursday that guarantees the third baseman $10 million.
Beltre gets $9 million this season, and the deal includes a $5 million player option for 2011 with a $1 million buyout. The option would escalate to $10 million if Beltre has 575 plate appearances in 2010.
The deal had been agreed to Tuesday subject to a physical.
A Gold Glove fielder in 2007 and 2008, Beltre became a free agent after five seasons with the Seattle Mariners. He’ll take the third base job from 2007 World Series MVP Mike Lowell, who had thumb surgery last month. The Red Sox are expected to continue trying to trade Lowell.
What hat will ‘Hawk’ wear?
The Hall of Fame has not decided which team’s logo will go on Andre Dawson’s bronze plaque. Hall president Jeff Idelson says that while the museum has final say, the decision comes after consulting with the player.
Dawson played 10-plus seasons for the Expos, where he was National League Rookie of the Year in 1977. He was the league MVP in 1987, the first of his six years with the Chicago Cubs.
On Thursday, “The Hawk” didn’t try to mask his love for Chicago. Going to the Cubs, he said, “really rejuvenated my career … I owe that organization a lot.”
Short hops
The Oakland Athletics added power to the middle of their lineup, agreeing to a $2.65 million, one-year contract to bring back Jack Cust. Cust, who is likely to be the club’s primary designated hitter, led the A’s in home runs the past three seasons. He became a free agent when the A’s declined to offer a 2010 contract. … The Kansas City Royals agreed to a $7 million, five-year contract with Cuban left-hander Noel Arguelles. Arguelles, who turns 20 on Jan. 20, defected at the 2008 World Junior Championships in Edmonton, Alberta. …
The Texas Rangers signed free agent infielder Matt Brown to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training. … Pitcher Sergio Mitre and the New York Yankees agreed to an $850,000, one-year contract, avoiding arbitration. … The San Diego Padres agreed to a minor league contract with right-hander pitcher Mark Worrell, who missed the entire 2009 season after elbow surgery. … Utilityman Eric Hinske and the Atlanta Braves have reached a preliminary agreement on a $1 million, one-year contract, sources said.
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