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Still negotiating At 21, Beltre trying to become free agent
Posted: Saturday March 11, 2000 12:42 PM
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The Los Angeles Dodgers renewed third baseman Adrian Beltre's contract for $330,000 Saturday, the deadline for renewing contracts of unsigned players. Dodgers chairman Bob Daly said he will continue negotiating with Beltre's agent, Scott Boras, on a three-year deal. Daly and Boras have discussed the matter on a regular basis for the last couple of weeks, and Daly said talks have not been cut off. The parties have said the length of a contract is one thing they've agreed on. Beltre, who turns 21 on April 7 and is trying to become a free agent, earned $220,000 last season while hitting .275 with 15 homers, 67 RBIs and 18 stolen bases. He made his debut with the Dodgers in 1998, playing in 77 games and hitting .215 with seven homers and 22 RBIs. Commissioner Bud Selig ruled in December that the Dodgers signed Beltre before his 16th birthday in 1994, and fraudulently altered documents to make the signing appear legal under baseball rules. The players' association filed a grievance on behalf of Beltre, which would be dropped if an agreement on a contract is reached. "There is no scheduled date yet for the hearing, and it appears that there will be no decision until after the season starts," Daly said at spring training in Vero Beach, Fla. "I have informed Scott Boras that the Dodgers are willing to continue discussions at any time." Before leaving for Jupiter, Fla., where the Dodgers were scheduled to play the St. Louis Cardinals in an exhibition game, Daly said he would be speaking with Boras later in the day. "Scott Boras and I have spent a considerable amount of time together in peaceful and professional meetings," Daly said. "We simply could not come to an agreement on a three-year deal. It is my sincere hope that Adrian Beltre is a Los Angeles Dodger for a very long time, and I know he will have an exciting and successful career." Beltre wasn't on the Dodgers' traveling squad for Saturday's game against the Cardinals. When approached in Dodgertown, he would only say, 'Play ball,' referring reporters to Boras.
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