It Wasn't Easy, But the Red Sox Finally Got Their Man

NEW YORK — The Red Sox and Adrian Beltre had come close before.

Following the 2004 season, the Sox had hoped to trade Manny Ramirez with the idea of freeing up money with an eye toward signing Beltre, a free agent who was coming off a 48-home run season with the Dodgers. The Red Sox liked the package offered by the third baseman, especially on the defensive side of things. The team had even had some discussions about the possibility of putting Beltre at shortstop.

But Ramirez wasn’t traded, and Beltre inked a five-year, $64 million with Seattle. It wasn’t meant to be at that time. On Sunday, that changed.

After parting ways in mid-December, the Red Sox and Beltre’s agent, Scott Boras, rekindled negotiations approximately one week ago. The talks would ultimately lead to the one-year, $9 million deal (with a $5 million player option) to which the sides agreed.

The agreement, which is contingent upon a physical, also includes an escalator for the option year that is triggered if the 30-year-old makes a significant number of plate appearances in '10.

Like a few of the moves made by the Red Sox this offseason, this deal wasn’t reached without its share of twists and turns. Even leading up to the final moments, there were significant obstacles in terms of getting Beltre to the Red Sox.

Two other teams (one thought to be Oakland) were offering more of a commitment to the third baseman, with at least one of the clubs extending a three-year proposal, and the other on the verge of going to four years. And then there were the finances, which came into play since the Red Sox were already up against their organizational budget.

Both problems were solved.

Beltre had found multiyear deals, but at an annual salary that fell short of his liking. He decided that a one-year deal in a park that could play to his strengths as a right-handed pull hitter would give him the opportunity to show the baseball world that he could put up the kind of numbers that would warrant a free-agent contract following the 2010 season that would legitimize the kind of asking price Boras had originally been floating at the Winter Meetings (five years, $60 million to $65 million).

Beltre was coming off an injury-plagued ’09 season in which he hit .265 with just eight homers in 111 games. And while his defense remained among the best in the game, the drop-off in production left the infielder seeking the chance to re-establish his market value. That is an opportunity that the Red Sox (and Fenway Park) were willing to give him.

As for the financial fit, the player option makes the Average Annual Value of the contract slightly more manageable (for purposes of luxury tax calculations) for the 2010 season at $7 million. That, coupled with a few potential moves in the coming weeks, should allow the Sox to settle into their self-imposed budget.

The matter of Beltre's finances and fit resolved, the Sox still must address other elements of their team-building equation, including the perceived surplus at the corner infield positions. The focus, in particular, turns to the situation revolving around Mike Lowell.

Almost immediately after word of Beltre's likely signing by the Red Sox emerged, another rumor made the rounds that had the Sox talking with the Mets regarding a potential swap of Lowell and second baseman Luis Castillo. That deal, according to a source familiar with the situation, is not close.

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The Red Sox front office recently talked to Lowell’s agents, Sam and Seth Levinson, to keep their client updated regarding the Sox’ approach to Lowell.

The reality is that Beltre’s presence might not change the Red Sox’ stance regarding Lowell. The 2007 World Series MVP was already slotted behind first baseman Casey Kotchman on the team’s depth chart. The most likely scenario surrounding Lowell still has the team bringing him to Fort Myers with the idea of having the third baseman show his value for a potential trade throughout spring training.

The Beltre signing also provides insight into the Red Sox’ perception of just how available San Diego first baseman Adrian Gonzalez will (or won’t) be prior to the season. It became clear fairly early on in the offseason that making a deal for Gonzalez wasn’t likely in the short term, in large part because of a contract that will pay him just $4.5 million in ’10 and $5.5 million in ’11.

Padres general manager Jed Hoyer and Sox GM Theo Epstein could revisit the viability of a Gonzalez trade, but it is increasingly looking like that would only come later this year.

Gonzalez was thought by the Red Sox to be the one difference-making bat who potentially could be added in the offseason. But when that dream came and went, pitching and defense became the priority. With the additions of Beltre, shortstop Marco Scutaro, starter John Lackey and outfielder Mike Cameron, the Sox feel like their mission (which also included maintaining what they feel is a tough top-to-bottom lineup) has been accomplished.

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