Multiple Rangers could play in World Baseball Classic

Adrian Beltre was included on the Dominican Republic’s provisional roster for the World Baseball Classic, and he will be one of potentially several Texas Rangers to play in the tournament early next year.

Catcher Jonathan Lucroy has already committed to play for Team USA, and infielder Jurickson Profar could play for the Kingdom of the Netherlands after playing with the team last month in a WBC warm-up.

There are some concerns about Beltre, who is 37, playing during spring training, when minor leg injuries have had a knack of cropping up. But the Rangers aren’t going to stop him from going.

“After six years with us and 20 in the big leagues, he’s more than earned our trust,” general manager Jon Daniels said.

Left-hander Martin Perez, second baseman Rougned Odor, shortstop Elvis Andrus and catcher Robinson Chirinos are possibilities for Venezuela.

Right fielder Shin-Soo Choo (Korea) and right-hander Yu Darvish (Japan) haven’t told the Rangers of their intentions yet, and the club plans to speak with Joey Gallo next week about playing for Italy.

Daniels also said that multiple minor league players are considering playing.

Monday’s top deals

Giants: The price for a premium closer took a significant leap during the first day of the annual winter meetings as San Francisco signed free agent Mark Melancon to a four-year deal worth $62.5 million.

Melancon has been as steady any closer in the game the past few seasons with Pittsburgh and, late last season, Washington. But he isn’t held in the same regard as two other free agents, Aroldis Chapman and Kenley Jansen.

The previous record contract for a reliever was a four-year, $50 million deal the Philadelphia Phillies gave Jonathan Papelbon in 2011. Chapman and Jansen could score deals worth $70 million to $80 million.

The right-handed Melancon, a Colorado native, has recorded 131 saves the past three seasons.

Blue Jays: The team that vanquished the Rangers from the postseason the past two seasons signed free-agent first baseman Steve Pearce to a two-year, $12.5 million contract as they appeared set to move on from Edwin Encarnacion. Toronto is also said to have interest in former Rangers first baseman Mitch Moreland.

Dodgers: Left-hander Rich Hill is set to stay with Los Angeles after agreeing to a three-year deal worth $48 million. Hill, who will turn 37 during spring training, was acquired from Oakland at the trade deadline and pitched well in the postseason.

This story was originally published December 5, 2016 at 8:37 PM with the headline "Multiple Rangers could play in World Baseball Classic."