Rangers pick up 2016 option on Beltre

Feb 23, 2015 - 11:52 PM Surprise, AZ (SportsNetwork.com) - The Texas Rangers announced Monday they have formally extended All-Star third baseman Adrian Beltre's contract through the 2016 season.

The Rangers picked up the option for the final year of a six-year, $96 million deal Beltre signed on Jan. 5, 2011.

According to MLB.com, the Rangers had the right to void the last year of the contract if Beltre failed to get a combined 1,200 plate appearances in 2014-15 or 600 in 2015. He had 614 place appearances last season.

Beltre, 35, tied for the major league lead in hits two seasons ago with 199. He batted .324 with a .388 on-base percentage, 19 home runs and 77 RBI over 148 games last year.

The four-time Gold Glove winner has played for Texas since 2011, hitting .315 with a .369 on-base percentage, 117 homers and 376 RBI in 589 games.

He ranks fifth among active players with 395 homers and third with 2,604 hits in 17 seasons with the Dodgers, Mariners, Red Sox and Rangers.