Red Sox Offer Adrian Beltre Contract, A's Out On The Third Baseman

With Adrian Beltre close to making a decision on where to play in 2010, the Red Sox have reportedly made a formal offer to the defensive whiz:

The Boston Red Sox have made an offer to free-agent third baseman Adrian Beltre, according to a major league source, but are facing competition from other teams, a list that could include the Orioles, Athletics and Angels.

Terms and timing of the offer were not disclosed, but given the likely drop in Beltre’s market and the Red Sox’s proximity to the luxury tax threshold, it would make sense for the team to have offered a two-year deal that is heavily backloaded in the second year. It remains to be seen, however, if that will be enough to entice Beltre.

Meanwhile, the Oakland A’s could be out of the running for the third baseman, according to FoxSports’ Ken Rosenthal:

Source: A’s “out” on Beltre: “Gave it best shot, but it’s over.”

Beltre is expected to make a decision within a couple of days.