Adrian Beltre has a full no-trade clause and is reportedly only willing to waive it to play for a contender, which is exactly what the Atlanta Braves are at this point. Does that mean the Braves and Texas Rangers could work out a deal?
According to Jon Paul Morosi of MLB.com, the Rangers and Braves have discussed a trade that would send Beltre to Atlanta. Beltre has not said publicly whether he would be open to playing for the Braves, and Morosi has been told he would prefer to either return to the Boston Red Sox or be sent to the Houston Astros or Cleveland Indians.
The Braves already have a full-time third baseman in Johan Camargo, but it’s possible Atlanta could be interested in a platoon in which Beltre faces left-handed pitching.
Beltre, 39, is hitting .292 this year with five home runs and 33 RBI. He’s having an impressive season given how old he is, and he could potentially help a playoff contender like the Red Sox, who just sent regular third baseman Rafael Devers to the disabled list.
We have heard of at least two other teams that are interested in Beltre, and the list could grow even more heading into Tuesday’s trade deadline depending on the Rangers’ asking price.
