January 29, 2024
The Texas Rangers have had internal discussions about signing free-agent first baseman/designated hitter
Brandon Belt, who played for manager Bruce Bochy in San Francisco. On paper, Belt is a perfect fit for the Rangers, as he'd effectively replace
Mitch Garver in their lineup. However, the question all offseason has been how much cash general manager
Chris Young has available. Texas just signed reliever
David Robertson and are the favorites to re-sign lefty
Jordan Montgomery, but it remains to be seen if there would be any money left after that for a hitter like Belt. The 35-year-old lefty slugger was one of just six players in baseball to generate a barrel percentage of at least 15% and a chase rate below 23%, which led to a nice .369 on-base percentage and a great .890 OPS against right-handed pitching.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN - Buster Olney
October 5, 2023
Toronto Blue Jays first baseman/designated hitter
Brandon Belt, now a free agent following the Blue Jays' elimination from the postseason on Wednesday, is undecided on whether he will continue his playing career in 2024. Belt said he will talk with his family before making any final decisions on his future. The veteran signed a one-year deal with the Blue Jays for the 2023 season and hit .254 with 19 home runs and an .859 OPS across 103 games played. He caught fire after a slow start, hitting .264 with a massive .319 isolated power and .958 OPS after the All-Star break, production that graded out 61% above the league average, as per his 161 second-half wRC+. His performance this season will surely garner interest on the open market should he decide to return for the 2024 campaign.
--Brenton KempSource: Ben Nicholson-Smith
October 2, 2023
Toronto Blue Jays first baseman/designated hitter
Brandon Belt is on fire heading into the postseason. In the 12-8 loss to the visiting Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday in the regular season finale, Belt went 2-for-5 with a solo home run and a strikeout. The 35-year-old has been hot in September and now has cleared the fences three times in the last four games as the Blue Jays head into the postseason. Belt finishes the year with 19 home runs while hitting .254/.369/.490 with an .858 OPS, 43 RBI and 53 runs scored in 339 at-bats in his first year in Toronto. Most importantly, though, he's hit .296 (8-for-27) with four homers, a double, six RBI and six runs scored in nine games (seven starts) in the final month of the regular season while also dealing with an injury.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
October 1, 2023
Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter
Brandon Belt had a productive day at the plate, going 2-for-5 with a solo home run in Sunday's game against the Rays, despite the team's loss. This marked his third dinger in the last four games. The 35-year-old recently returned from the IL. Belt's regular season concludes with him posting a slash line of .254/.369/.490. He also slugged 19 home runs and recorded 43 RBI in 339 at-bats.
--Andrew Lennox - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
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