Adrian Beltre

2013

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2012

Beltre posted another excellent season, though he missed nearly 40 games with a hamstring injury. His 32 homers and 105 RBI were eclipsed only by his 2004 season on his career ledger, though he was an excellent third baseman trapped in a hitters' hell for his Seattle years. He remains an excellent option at third base given his home park and lineup, and he has a good track record of playing 150 games a year in his career, so you can expect an uptick in his counting stats as a result.

2011

Beltre's one-year contract with the Red Sox paid off in 2010 when he posted his best numbers since the epic 48-homer 2004 season that earned him his last fat contract with Seattle. It wasn't a Fenway Park fluke either, as he had a better OPS and hit more home runs on the road. He also continued to provide outstanding defense (4th best UZR in baseball at third base). The payoff was a six-year, $96 million contract with Texas in the offseason to become the everyday third baseman for the Rangers. Beltre's numbers with Seattle were always hurt by his home ballpark, so he should be as productive as ever in Texas since he's seen no decline in his skill set.

2010

Some still insist on labeling Beltre's five-year stay in Seattle a bust. They're still wrong. Various injuries and a left field that plays like Alaska conspired to depress Beltre's numbers and mask his value. He missed significant chunks of the last two seasons to various ailments (including a severely contused right testicle) and played most of 2007 with an undiagnosed torn thumb ligament. While Beltre's .410 home slugging percentage was better than the average right-handed batter (.394) at Safeco Field, it was still far below his .472 road slugging percentage, which ranks third among AL third basemen during his time in Seattle. And his Gold Glove work at the hot corner never took a day off. After signing with the Red Sox in January, he could be a good draft-day value as part of a potent Boston offense and in a hitter-friendly home park.

2009

Beltre continues to be one of baseball's more underappreciated players. His 25 homers were third among AL third basemen, and had 55 XBH with Gold Glove defense, despite seemingly everything working against him, including a torn ligament in his thumb, an unlucky BABIP for most of the year and a home field that stifles right-handed power. And while lineup protection is usually overrated, Beltre got absolutely no help hitting in front of the likes of Richie Sexson and Jose Vidro -- he drew a Mariners career-high 50 walks, including 10 intentional walks, the most of his career since batting eighth for the Dodgers in 1999. His season ended mid-September when he opted for surgery on the injured thumb (and he also had shoulder surgery at that time), which he had played with since May 2007. Beltre's not expected to re-sign with Seattle when his contract is up at the season's end, and he could be traded before then. He should be healthy for spring training.

2008

Beltre had his best year in the majors last season outside of 2004, even if conventional wisdom still shortchanges him. Beltre played a better third base than any American Leaguer other than MVP Alex Rodriguez. He led AL third basemen in doubles (41), was second in homers (26) and XBH (69) and third in SLG (.482), all the while playing in a park that is death on right-handed hitters (indeed, he slugged .538 on the road and had 19 more XBH in equal at-bats). He also led AL third basemen in stolen base percentage (87.5), finishing second with 14 steals, and won the Gold Glove for his work at the hot corner. Fantasy owners could do a lot worse.

2007

A poor two-month opening stretch in 2006 lead most outside observers to conclude that Beltre was following his disappointing 2005 Mariners debut with an equally rancid 2006. A closer look reveals that after he came out of his early season tailspin he was one of the best-hitting third basemen in baseball. From May 29 on, Beltre hit .289 with 23 homers, 33 doubles, 75 RBI and slugged .538. Only Aramis Ramirez homered more in that span among third basemen, and Beltre's slugging percentage was fifth best in baseball. Beltre flashed his usual adroit glove at the hot corner, making him one of the better all-round third basemen—at least for four months. Conventional wisdom likely will make him undervalued in 2007 drafts, but Beltre needs to avoid another slow start to make drafting him really pay off.

2006

Beltre's 2005 is easily filed under "Bust" after the Mariners gave him $64 million following his MVP-quality 2004. But Beltre didn't choke last year as much as he just returned to his pre-2004 levels. Before his .334, 48-HR year, Beltre averaged .261 and homered once every 29 at-bats. Last season, he hit .255 and homered once every 31.7 at-bats. If Beltre can split the difference this year from 2004 and 2005, the Mariners will be overjoyed. That would put him at about 35 homers with a .295 average. But even that might be a lot to wish for as it would be the second-best season of his career. If nothing else, Beltre should come cheap this year.

2005

Beltre picked the right time to have a career year as he parlayed a 48-home run season into a five-year, $64 million contract with the Mariners. Even if he doesn't hit 40 HR again, he's likely to be one of the top fantasy third basemen since he'll be entering his prime at just age 26.

2004

Another poor start doomed Beltre to another mediocre year. He rediscovered his power stroke in the second half and slugged .488, but his on-base skills have really eroded. It may be time to lower our expectations. Alternatively, it may be time for a change of venue for Beltre, who has a career OPS of .807 on the road, but only .683 in Dodger Stadium.

2003

2002 was another disappointing season, as Beltre's plate discipline seems to be a thing of the past, although he did begin to heat up over the final couple months. Beltre's real age could still be an issue - at 23, there's plenty of time for a return to the 2000 numbers that made him the hottest 3B prospect in the NL, at 27 it's time to write it off as an anomaly.