Cardinals Agree To Two-Year Deal With Carlos Beltran

[NV]

The Cardinals and free agent outfielder Carlos Beltran have agreed to terms on a two-year deal, reports Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The contract is worth a little more than $25MM, according to Yahoo Sports' Tim Brown (via Twitter).

Beltran is represented by Dan Lozano, coincidentally also the agent for Albert Pujols, whose presence in the St. Louis lineup Beltran will hope to at least partially fill. Beltran is slated to play right field until Allen Craig returns from injury, and then Beltran will take over in center field for the Cards (with Jon Jay still receiving significant playing time). Beltran is also likely the Cardinals' top DH option during interleague play.

Beltran, who turns 35 in April, hit .300/.385/.525 in 598 plate appearances for the Mets and Giants in 2011. It was a solid return to good fitness from Beltran, who was plagued by knee injuries over the previous two seasons and made only 612 plate appearances combined in 2009-10. The Indians and Blue Jays were considered to be the other finalists for Beltran's services, with the Rays and Red Sox also in the mix.

 

[Elite]

Good signing by the Cards, softens the blow of Pujols leaving

Now Berkman can slide to 1B and Beltran will start in RF I'm assuming. Improves their OF defense if nothing else.

Beltran - Holliday - Berkman is still a nice 3-4-5

 

[Giantmetfan07]

both Beltran and Berkman are getting older. Really depends on if they can both have good seasons again. Its possible, but idk.