Adrian Beltre is the new third baseman for the Boston Red Sox. He represents another great addition to a very potent team.

Beltre continues the outstanding defense Red Sox pitchers have come to expect from the injured Mike Lowell at third, as Beltre comes with one of the finest defensive gloves in the game. In addition, his presence in the clubhouse has always been welcome by teammates and management.

While Beltre signed for only one year with a player's option for a second, the Red Sox won't miss a beat in putting an outstanding club on the field in 2010.
If he can approach the type of hitter he was in 2004 in his last season with the Los Angeles Dodgers he will be a hero in the Back Bay. That year Adrian belted 48 home runs, drove in 121 runs and hit a very loud .334. He had his best year prior to his first venture to Free Agency. The following year in Seattle Beltre hit 19 homers, drove in 87 and hit .255. Go figure. But Beltre continued to play outstanding Gold Glove defense and provide sound leadership throughout his tenure with the Mariners. The ballpark played way too big for his stroke and he didn't put up the big power numbers.

There are several immediate ramifications to Beltre signing with the Red Sox:

First, it eliminates the need for Adrian Gonzalez at this time. Kevin Youkilis capably moves over to first on a permanent basis, VMart goes behind the plate on a permanent basis and Beltre takes over at third. Two tremendous outcomes are achieved immediately; there is no need now to trade prospects for Gonzalez and Mike Lowell can be allowed to heal properly before returning to the bench or being used as trade bait. All that for the price of a one year deal with an option.

Now, what if Beltre bombs in Boston? It's unlikely, but it could happen. It's likely the same deal for Gonzalez will probably be available to Boston during the season or they can wait until Gonzalez hits his Free Agency. There is no sense of urgency to get a deal done with San Diego.

Another ramification deals solely with Adrian Beltre. He will now have the opportunity to get away from Safeco Field and play his home games in Fenway.
His stroke plays well with the high wall and short distance to that wall. His entire offensive career could be rejuvenated with his move to a hitter-friendly ballpark. If he hits like he did his last year in Los Angeles, his price in 2011 will skyrocket and he won't exercise his player option to remain in Boston. If he doesn't do well, he simply exercises his player option and stays with the BoSox.

Beltre may assume some of the offense lost with the departure of Jason Bay to the Mets. Make no mistake. Beltre is no Jason Bay at the plate. However, Beltre is capable of being adequate protection for the sluggers in the lineup. Adrian Beltre will hit home runs in Fenway Park. And lots of doubles.

Finally, I believe Beltre will provide tremendous defense to a club that will be very sound on the mound with pitchers that understand and appreciate the value of catching and throwing the ball with tremendous efficiency. He will save runs with his glove and arm.

Call it a good day for the Boston Red Sox.

Some other transactions took place that are of note:

Matt Holliday has agreed to terms with St. Louis. There was word the Cardinals were hoping a deal would get done this week. They got their wish. Again, Scott Boras probably didn't get what he wanted for Holliday, but it didn't seem there were too many other options available for his client.
Holliday will continue to provide tremendous lineup protection for Albert Pujols. It's a good deal for everyone. Now all the Cards have to do is pony up once again--only this time it'll be for the best player in baseball. Just what is Pujols worth on the open market? Even in a bad financial environment.

And the Tribe has solved their right-handed hitting problems. They have added the ever puzzling Austin Kearns to their minor league stable with an invitation to spring training. Talk about hype! At one point he was the next big phenom in baseball. Now he'll have to play his way on the club as a corner infielder and spare part outfielder. But he'll have Shelley Duncan to battle for that 25th man on the roster spot. Duncan is a feast or famine power hitter capable of striking out or hitting a home run that could sail 500 feet. Given their lack of power at the big league level, the move is not bad. I like both better than Andy Marte.

So players are continuing to change uniforms and we get one day closer to spring training. In the coming days I'll begin scribbling my thoughts for the coming season. There are some guys I'm really excited to see play over an entire season. I'll talk about them in future blogs. Guys like Wade Davis, Gordon Beckham, Michael Brantley and Jason Heyward. If there are Major League ready guys you'd like me to write about during the next two weeks, let me know in the comments below.