Adrian Beltre joins Texas

By STEPHEN HAWKINS
AP Sports Writer

A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated
Press that All-Star third baseman Adrian Beltre and the AL champion
Texas Rangers have reached a preliminary agreement on a $96
million, six-year contract.

The person spoke late Tuesday night on condition of anonymity
because the agreement is pending a physical.

Texas will have the ability to void the final season of the
contract under certain conditions.

Beltre became a free agent after turning down a $10 million
player option to stay with Boston.

A two-time Gold Glove winner, Beltre hit .321 with 49 doubles,
28 homers and 102 RBIs in 154 games in his only season with the Red
Sox. He was an All-Star for the first time in his 13-season career.
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AP Sports Writer Ronald Blum contributed to this report.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)