ARLINGTON -- The Rangers face a Monday deadline to work out a deal that would keep stellar third baseman Adrian Beltre from going onto the free-agent market after the season.

Beltre said Friday that he does not want to continue negotiations on an extension into the regular season. The Rangers open on Monday against Seattle at Globe Life Park.

"I don't want to have that going on,'' Beltre said of in-season negotiations.

Beltre, who turns 37 on Thursday, will earn $18 million this season in the final season of a six-year, $96 million contract. He is second in salary among active third basemen this season. Injury-prone David Wright tops the list at $20 million.

In his five seasons with the Rangers, Beltre has made three All-Star teams, received two Gold Glove and two Silver Slugger awards and received votes annually in the Most Valuable Player process. Only one other major leaguer has received MVP votes in each of the last five seasons: Detroit's Miguel Cabrera.

Beltre repeatedly has said he enjoys playing with the Rangers and wants to remain with the club. Asking for a resolution by opening day is not a that's-it ultimatum that closes the door on the Rangers, but rather a way to guarantee that Beltre enters the season with a clear mind. The talks would pick up after the season, when Beltre would be free to talk with all clubs.

Rangers general manager Jon Daniels has consistently declined to comment on negotiations with Scott Boras, who represents Beltre. Daniels said the club does not like in-season negotiations but has made exceptions in the past.

Daniels has been clear throughout the offseason about the club's desire to keep Beltre. What seemed likely to be a done deal early in spring training, following the acquisition of left fielder Ian Desmond, never happened.

"I'm not worried about it,'' Beltre said.

The same can be said for the manager, Jeff Banister.

Playing in a "walk year'' can have a wide range of effect on players. Some prosper. Some wither. After watching Beltre play through sore legs and a debilitating thumb injury last season, Banister expects pending free agency to be a nonfactor with Beltre, if it comes to that.

"I have complete trust in that,'' Banister said. "There's not a better pro out there.

"I watched a man last year who at times could barely walk and hold a bat go out and perform at a high level. I've got to believe that Adrian's mentally strong enough to be able to go out and play the game the way he needs to play the game.''

Beltre said last month that he is comfortable playing in a walk year. He has done it three times.

In 2004 with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Beltre had a career year with 48 homers and 121 RBIs in advance of free agency. He finished second in the National League MVP voting.

In 2009 with Seattle, Beltre went onto the disabled list twice and had only eight homers and 44 RBIs.

In 2010 with Boston, Beltre rebuilt his value by hitting 28 homers with 102 RBIs and a .919 OPS. He finished ninth in the MVP voting.

This time could be different in that Beltre is at an advanced stage of his career. Since 1914, only eight major leaguers have started at least 100 games and had an OPS of least .750 at age 37.

The most recent was Chipper Jones, with Atlanta in 2009. Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt had the best season of the bunch, with 35 homers, 113 RBIs and a .936 OPS in 1987. He also retired less than two years later.

Daniels acknowledged during spring training that age is a factor when considering any player.

"But it's different with Adrian than it is with others,'' he said. "I still think he's one of the best third basemen in the game. He's a unique bird.''

Will he leave the nest next fall?