Monday newsletter time: Adrian Beltre on Hall of Fame ballot for first time
(AP photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Time for the better-late-than-never Rangers Today Monday newsletter.
A little side trip out of town over the weekend led to a delay in the writing of the newsletter, which is typically done the night before. So, yes, the Tuesday newsletter will be written tonight.
But the tardiness isn’t a bad thing. Some news broke this morning, though it’s hardly shocking: Adrian Beltre is on the Hall of Fame ballot for the Class of 2024.
The former Rangers third baseman is one of 12 newcomers to the ballot and one of 26 overall. He’s going to going to be elected for enshrinement on his first try and inducted July 22 at Cooperstown, N.Y.
Beltre, who played for four teams over 21 seasons, posted 3,166 hits, 1,151 extra-base hits, 1,707 RBIs and 477 home runs. He won five Gold Gloves and was the runner-up for the National League MVP in 2004.
Former Twins catcher Joe Mauer has a compelling case to be inducted in his first year on the ballot. Former Rockies first baseman Todd Helton just missed last year and could get over the hump this time.
Ballots from the eligible BBWAA writers are due Dec. 31. I will post mine at some point next month.
Starters signing
Some of the available free-agent starting pitchers are beginning to find new homes.
Former Rangers right-hander Lance Lynn is going back to St. Louis, where he started his career, on one-year, $10 million deal after allowing 44 home runs during an abysmal 2023 campaign.
The biggest name to sign so far is right-hander Aaron Nola, who re-signed with the Phillies on a seven-year, $172 million deal. My calculator says that’s $24,571,428.57 a year for the 30-year-old with a 3.72 career ERA. He had a 4.46 ERA in 2023.
For comparison’s sake, left-hander Jordan Montgomery turns 31 on Dec. 27 and is six months older than Nola. Montgomery has a 3.68 career ERA, posted a 3.20 ERA in 2023 and pitched very well in the postseason in helping the Rangers win the World Series.
They are different pitchers, beyond the arm they throw with, but the results are fairly similar. If the Rangers were interested in Nola, it hasn’t been reported. General manager Chris Young said during that winter meetings that the Rangers would be contacting Montgomery.
Here’s another set of numbers to consider: Nola made $16 million last season while Montgomery was paid $10 million. So, Nola received a 50 percent raise. A 50 percent raise for Montgomery would be $15 million.
The guess is he doubles his salary. The question is if the Rangers would rather give that to Montgomery or another starter.
ICYMI …
Rangers Today felt somewhat back on track last week. We will be in full offseason mode after this week. The winter meetings aren’t far away, so rumors will be flying and news might be happening. This period has been the Rangers’ sweet spot for adding players. ICYMI has been the sweet spot for encouraging readers to get a paid subscription to Rangers Today. If it were me, though, I would wait until Friday. In the meantime, here’s our latest content in case you missed it.
The Sunday Read: To sign (or not to sign) Shohei Ohtani
Friday on the Farm: Catching up after the World Series
Armchair GM: First go-round on free agency
At Long Last: Rangers Today commemorative book
Doggy video!
She better have given the other dog some treats. Enjoy.
When you’re teaching a trick to the little one that the older one already knows.. 😅 pic.twitter.com/NY00s2kzO7
— Buitengebieden (@buitengebieden) November 19, 2023
Jeff Wilson, jeff@rangerstoday.com
