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Dominican Adrian Beltre recently announced his retirement, ending a career that will surely lead him to the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame.
Beltre built his excellent resume in 21 seasons in the majors, but his two best campaigns (2004 and 2010) probably had something in common. They were both in the last year of their contracts, just before Beltre reached the status of free agent.
The idea that players always raise their level in such a situation, using a potential millionaire contract as motivation, is far from reality. This is usually a mere coincidence or reflection of the player's normal ascent.
But there are an exceptional number of major seasons before release. They are the best.
1. Alex Rodríguez, the sailors of 2000
Numbers: .316 / .420 / .606 (163 OPS +), 41 circuits
Contract: 10 years, US $ 252 million with the Rangers
A-Rod turned 25 in the middle of the 2000 season, when he finished with more than 10 WARs, according to Baseball-Reference. The result was a record contract that remains among the most important in history.
2. Barry Bonds, Pirates of 1992
Numbers: .311 / .456 / .624 (204 OPS +), 39 stolen bases
Contract: Six years, 43.75 million USD with the giants
Bonds came on the market after his second season of 30-30 (stolen bases-flight) and his second most valuable player in the National League in three years, in addition to his third consecutive gold glove. He did even better during his first year at the Bay, adding another MVP award.
3. Adrián Beltré, 2004 Dodgers
Numbers: .334 / .388 / .629 (163 OPS +), 48 circuits
Contract: Five years, US $ 64 million with Mariners
Only the bonds prevented Beltre from being the MVP of the Old Circuit, as the 25-year-old then exploded at the right moment. WAR Beltre 9.6 remains the best for a third base player since Mike Schmidt in 1974.
4. Alex Rodríguez, Yankees of 2007
Numbers: .314 / .422 / .645 (176 OPS +), 54 circuits
Contract: 10 years, 275 million USD with the Yankees
A-Rod broke his own record in terms of dollar value after leaving his original contract. He had just won his third AHL MVP in five years and led the Young Circuit in scoring, home runs, RBI, slugging and OPS.
5. Zack Greinke, Dodgers of 2015
Numbers: 19-3, 1,66 EFE (222 ERA +)
Contract: Six years, 206.5 million USD with D-backs
The effectiveness of the right was better for a starter since Greg Maddux in 1995 and he spun 45.2 innings of white between June and July, the longest record since the record of 59 Orel Hershiser in 1988.
Andrew Simon MLB.com
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