Beltre Still Unsigned; Dodgers Amazingly Still Mentioned In The Hunt

While Adrian Beltre lingers out there without a home, ESPN mentions the Giants as a potential dark-horse suitor. Might competitive fires be the trick to get the Dodgers to finally enter the fray?

Beltre's supposed asking price -- somewhere north of $70 million over five years -- could scare off the A's who reportedly offered $64 million last month.

A dark horse for Beltre's services? How about the San Francisco Giants, who aren't sure Pablo Sandoval is the answer at the hot corner. The price is clearly the key, however, as there are few clubs that can afford to offer what Beltre is looking for, which leads to the Rangers and Angels as the favorites.

And what the heck, why not the Cardinals, despite David Freese's positive medical outlook?

If the Halos and Rangers -- who would likely have to move Michael Young to make room -- fill the position with another long-term answer, Beltre's market could fall into the price range for the Giants, or even the Atlanta Braves or Toronto Blue Jays who have no clear answers at third, especially if Chipper Jones' return to the Braves is delayed longer than expected.

The White Sox are a fit on paper, but they appear to be out of payroll space. The Cardinals seem to be in the same boat, and the Dodgers would have to move Casey Blake to the outfielder, where he does have some experience, but it's unknown how much more money they can spend considering their current ownership situation.

Come on, McCourts. Pick up Beltre. We need him!