Major League Baseball

Sources: Andrus, Rangers near deal

Published Mar. 31, 2013 1:00 a.m. ET

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Ken Rosenthal

The Texas Rangers suffered a disappointing loss on Opening Night, but they are on the verge of a coup with far greater implications:

An eight-year, $120 million contract extension for shortstop Elvis Andrus.

The Rangers are close to signing Andrus to just such a deal, according to major league sources.

FOXSportsSouthwest.com's Anthony Andro reported that team sources say Andrus took a physical on Monday and that the deal will happen when the Rangers return to Arlington for Friday's home opener against the Angels.

The eight-year deal would be in addition to the final two years of Andrus’ current contract, according to CBSSports.com, giving the Rangers control of the two-time All-Star through 2022.

According to Andro's report, the deal includes an opt-out clause after the 2018 season as well as a vesting option for a ninth year.

Andrus, 24, is under contract for a combined $11.275 million the next two seasons, so his total package would come to $10 years, $131.275 million.

Andrus’ agent, Scott Boras, rarely signs his clients to extensions, preferring them to establish their market values as free agents. Boras also is known for negotiating early opt-out clauses, and such a clause is posssible for Andrus after 2018 or ‘19, sources say.

Andrus, if he signed an eight-year extension, would be eligible for free agency at 34. A deal would increase the chances of the Rangers’ top prospect, Jurickson Profar, moving from shortstop to second, with second baseman Ian Kinsler eventually moving to the outfield or first base.

Another possibility would be for the Rangers to eventually trade Profar for a player such as Rays left-hander David Price or Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton, both of whom are expected to become available in the future.

The Rangers also could trade Kinsler, who is beginning the first year of a five-year, $75 million extension.

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