According to WEEI.com, Beltre thought he had a good chance of returning to the Red Sox during the 2011 offseason, even after the Sox traded for first baseman Adrian Gonzalez. Not long after the Sox acquired Gonzalez, Beltre signed a five-year, $80 million deal with the Texas Rangers.
"They made a great choice. I think Gonzalez is one of the best, if not the best, hitters in baseball. But I thought I had a chance at that time that maybe both of us could [be on the Sox]," Beltre said. "All I know was I wanted to be on a team that had a good chance to win."
After the Gonzalez trade, there didn't seem to be any more room for Beltre with Kevin Youkilis at third base, David Ortiz at designated hitter and Gonzalez at first base. But Beltre thought something could have been worked out.
"I have no idea," he said. "But they could figure something out."
Beltre is having another great year in 2011, with 19 home runs, 71 RBIs and another trip to the All-Star Game.
