Rangers Sign Andrus to 3-Year Deal

Texas Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus has avoided arbitration by signing a new three-year contract, the team said Wednesday.

Terms of the deal weren't disclosed, but The Dallas Morning News reported it was worth $14.4 million, with an average annual value of $4.8 million.

Andrus hit .279 with five homers, 60 RBI, 96 runs scored and 37 stolen bases for the two-time American League champions last season, his third in the major leagues.

The 23-year-old Venezuela native has been a mainstay at the top of Rangers' order, racking up a .271 average with 14 triples, 11 home runs and 135 RBI over his career with the team.

"I keep learning every day. I'm still learning so many things, especially with the mental part of the game," Andrus said on a conference call. "And I think ... my best years are coming."

"Elvis represents everything we want the Texas Rangers to be," Assistant General Manager Thad Levine added. "He's a young upside player with a ton of energy and a ton of ability.

"He's the engine for our whole team. He sets the table for the big boppers in the middle of our lineup."