According to several news sources including ESPN.com, free-agent third baseman Adrian Beltre has reached tentative agreement on a one-year, guaranteed, $10 million contract with the Boston Red Sox.

The deal will pay Beltre a base salary of $9 million in 2010. It includes a $5 million player option for 2011 and a $1 million buyout, and is contingent upon Beltre passing a physical exam, the sources said.  The player option allows Beltre to test the market again next Winter in hopes of landing a longer term deal.  It is believed that Beltre was looking for a five-year deal worth between $13-16 million.

It was believed that Beltre was decided among several teams earlier today including the Athletics, Twins and Cardinals before choosing the Red Sox.

Beltre, 30, hit 8 home runs, drove in 44 RBI’s and hit .265 in 111 games while making $13.4 million with the Seattle Mariners in 2009.

You can see the contract history and statistics of Adrian Beltre here.
You can see the events leading up to this signing and other Adrian Beltre rumors here.