MLB Trade Rumors: Adrian Beltre on the move to Washington Nationals?
The Washington Nationals lost Ryan Zimmerman to the disabled list for the second time this season after he lost 44 games to a fractured thumb earlier in the season and now sits with a hamstring strain that will keep him out until August.
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Losing Zimmerman prompted the Nationals to inquire into the availability of Texas Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre, but the “Nationals were rebuffed” according to Bill Ladson of MLB.com.
Beltre, 35, is one of the top third basemen of his generation and a potential Hall of Famer who would inject some power into the lineup with Zimmerman on the disabled list and play sound defense at the hot corner.
Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo was asked if the team is looking to shore up the position in advance of the July 31 trade deadline on Friday and downplayed any talk of an outside acquisition because of the depth on the current roster construction.
“We have a great third baseman. His name is Anthony Rendon. We have another Gold Glove-caliber guy. His name is Ryan Zimmerman, who is going to be back soon. We feel pretty confident, especially at that position. We like our depth, and we like the way our roster has been constructed. We like the guys that will have to step up and play to their potential. I think we have the man power to do it.”
Beltre is hitting .325 with 14 home runs and 54 runs batted in this season for the last place Rangers who are expected to be sellers at the MLB trade deadline, but it would appear that Beltre is not going to be going anywhere–at least not unless the Nationals up their offer.