The Texas Rangers agreed to a three year contract extension with shortstop Elvis Andrus yesterday to buy out all three of his arbitration years. The deal is worth between $14 and $15 million for the three years.
You can say whatever the hell you want to say about Andrus, but here's a quick fact: barring something catastrophic, this three year deal will be his last contract with the Rangers. Texas has stud 18 year-old (19 this month) prospect Jurickson Profar in the minors, and he's looking like a freight train that cannot be stopped. Profar OPSed .886 in 2011 for the low-A Hickory Crawdads, walked more than he struck out, had 57 extra base hits, and stole 23 bases. Profar is also quite handy with the glove, though maybe not as good as Andrus. The point stands that he's a five tool prospect, and that Andrus really only excels in one area: with his glove.
Andrus is indeed a fantastic defender. DRS rates him at +28 runs over his three seasons in the majors, while UZR cumu...
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