After spending the last seven years with the Texas Rangers, greener pastures may be beckoning for Adrian Beltre as his career winds down.
Jon Morosi of MLB.com reported on Thursday that the Cleveland Indians and the Philadelphia Phillies are interested in trading for the veteran slugger. Morosi cites Beltre’s familiarity with Indians manager Terry Francona from their days with the Boston Red Sox as well as his potential positive influence on the Phillies’ emerging core as reasons behind the interest from both teams.
Beltre, 39, is hitting .302 with three home runs and 22 RBIs in 2018, having just returned from a hamstring issue. While he does have a full-no trade clause, the four-time All-Star will be a free agent after the season.
The Rangers are currently the worst team in the AL West, so the second-place Phillies and division-leading Indians would both be better situations from a winning standpoint. Beltre is still after his first World Series ring as well, but some of his recent comments might indicate that he prefers to stay in the AL.
