Elvis Andrus Continues to Ensure His Texas Rangers Legacy

The end of the World Series marks the start of contract season and the Texas Rangers started the offseason by retaining their All-Star shortstop, Elvis Andrus.

While names like Clayton Kershaw, Bryce Harper and Manny Machado will dominate the MLB headlines this offseason, the Texas Rangers got confirmation earlier this week that All-Star shortstop, Elvis Andrus, would not opt out of his contract with the club for the 2019 season.

Andrus, who just turned 30 in August, had the option to opt out of his contract with the Rangers and test the free agent market this offseason. By sticking around for 2019, Andrus will pick up just over $15 million next season, While he still has an opt out after the 2019 season, many speculate that Elvis is partial to finishing out his career with the Texas Rangers. If he were to play out the duration of his current contract with Texas, he is locked in through the 2022 season with a $15 million vesting option for 2023.

There are obviously financial benefits to Elvis opting in for 2019 especially coming off of an injury plagued 2018 season. While he may struggle to command $15 million on the open market this offseason, his value is still high and without a doubt, he would have suitors that had shots at contending this upcoming season. Turning down a shot at competing for a World Series this season to stay with the Rangers is more a testament to his love for Texas than his desire to chase a bigger contract next offseason in my opinion.

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Coming back to Arlington is another step in cementing a legacy that Elvis has built with the Rangers. In the 10 years he’s been with the Texas Rangers, Elvis has been a mainstay in the lineup day in and day out. Not hitting the DL in his career until this past season, Elvis is already going to be remembered as a franchise great. Now the question is, how far can he propel himself into Rangers’ lore. A career .275 hitter for Texas, Elvis has locked up the shortstop position for over a decade seems to be in the prime of his career currently, despite a rough 2018 campaign.

If Elvis Andrus sees out the end of his contract with the Texas Rangers through 2023, he has a legitimate shot at becoming the franchise all-time leader in hits, singles, doubles and triples surpassing Rangers legend Michael Young in all categories. He already is the all-time stolen base leader for the Rangers with 271 in his 10 year career.

Of course, this all depends on whether he decides to waive his opt-out for next season too, but even if he doesn’t reach number one on the majority of these lists, his placement in the top 10 for all those categories are just more evidence of the legacy he has constructed as a part of the Texas Rangers.