Carlos Beltran is no doubt a sought after free agent that will help most teams looking to lengthen their batting order. Unfortunately he is not talked about because of his and agent Scott Boras's 5 year $75 million dollar contract demands. Part of the concern teams have is how his knees are now (and theres some question of how they are bothering him now) and how they'll be in the future. Its certainly effecting negotiations. Heres a list of the top six teams that would be the best fit for Beltran:
6. Philadelphia Phillies: There is no secret the Phillies are looking to add to their offense. After missing out on Aramis Ramirez, (who I thought would be a perfect fit) they have currently turned their attention to Michael Cuddyer of the Twins. Beltran would excel playing his home games at Citizens Bank Park. The only concern would be where to play him with Hunter Pence in right and Shane Victorino in centerfield. Perhaps Beltran could play right with Pence moving back to center and Victorino can go to left.
5. St. Louis Cardinals: There has been some talk that the Cardinals are interested but not at the price that he is asking. Obviously they have some money to spare not signing Pujols. A Cardinals lineup with Beltran could be almost as potent as one with Pujols, assuming his knees hold up. Beltran has also spent some time in Missouri, spending five and a half years with the Kansas City Royals.
4. Detroit Tigers: The Tigers are my sleeper team. They feel like their offense let them down in the postseason last season and seem committed to improving the middle of their order. They have been talking to Jimmy Rollins and had preliminary interest in Jose Reyes. Beltran would make the middle of their order pretty tough to get through with Miguel Cabrera, Victor Martinez, Jhonny Peralta, and Delmon Young. Beltran has showed reservations for playing in the American League because he doesn't want to DH, so Detroit could work because they have a semi-full time DH in Victor Martinez. And an occasional DH day will help Beltran to live out his next contract.
3. San Francisco Giants: Don't rule the Giants out. I think they will still be a factor in the Fielder talks, and there's no question they have to improve offensively. Beltran seems to have built up a decent relationship with manager Bruce Bochy and the Giants aren't against bringing him back. You have to believe Brian Sabean is trying to do something to help the team's futile lineup. Plus, he can re-unite with his buddy Angel Pagan.
2. Boston Red Sox: It seems the Red Sox have waited to make their yearly improvements to the team. Beltran is expected to sign later on, similar to Vladamir Guerrero when he was a free agent in Montreal, and that could benefit a team like Boston, who will be busy in January and beyond. David Ortiz is DHing there so he will play the field where he prefers. A Beltran addition would give the Red Sox one of the best lineups in baseball.
1. Colorado Rockies: I'm going with the team thats the favorite right now. The Rockies have been aggressive and have shown interest in Beltran from the start. Its interesting to see how his numbers would increase for playing his home games in Coors Field. Remember, he hit three home runs there last year as a member of the Mets. Carlos Gonzalez and Troy Tulowitski would benefit as well from having Beltran in the order.
The Yankees seem content with their corner OFs of Brett Gardner and Nick Swisher. The Marlins don't really have a corner OF spot with Logan Morrison and Mike Stanton. I don't see the Cubs spending on a guy like Beltran, even though I know Theo Epstein is a Beltran fan. And like I said before, I think the Nationals are out because they will land Fielder.
6. Philadelphia Phillies: There is no secret the Phillies are looking to add to their offense. After missing out on Aramis Ramirez, (who I thought would be a perfect fit) they have currently turned their attention to Michael Cuddyer of the Twins. Beltran would excel playing his home games at Citizens Bank Park. The only concern would be where to play him with Hunter Pence in right and Shane Victorino in centerfield. Perhaps Beltran could play right with Pence moving back to center and Victorino can go to left.
5. St. Louis Cardinals: There has been some talk that the Cardinals are interested but not at the price that he is asking. Obviously they have some money to spare not signing Pujols. A Cardinals lineup with Beltran could be almost as potent as one with Pujols, assuming his knees hold up. Beltran has also spent some time in Missouri, spending five and a half years with the Kansas City Royals.
4. Detroit Tigers: The Tigers are my sleeper team. They feel like their offense let them down in the postseason last season and seem committed to improving the middle of their order. They have been talking to Jimmy Rollins and had preliminary interest in Jose Reyes. Beltran would make the middle of their order pretty tough to get through with Miguel Cabrera, Victor Martinez, Jhonny Peralta, and Delmon Young. Beltran has showed reservations for playing in the American League because he doesn't want to DH, so Detroit could work because they have a semi-full time DH in Victor Martinez. And an occasional DH day will help Beltran to live out his next contract.
3. San Francisco Giants: Don't rule the Giants out. I think they will still be a factor in the Fielder talks, and there's no question they have to improve offensively. Beltran seems to have built up a decent relationship with manager Bruce Bochy and the Giants aren't against bringing him back. You have to believe Brian Sabean is trying to do something to help the team's futile lineup. Plus, he can re-unite with his buddy Angel Pagan.
2. Boston Red Sox: It seems the Red Sox have waited to make their yearly improvements to the team. Beltran is expected to sign later on, similar to Vladamir Guerrero when he was a free agent in Montreal, and that could benefit a team like Boston, who will be busy in January and beyond. David Ortiz is DHing there so he will play the field where he prefers. A Beltran addition would give the Red Sox one of the best lineups in baseball.
1. Colorado Rockies: I'm going with the team thats the favorite right now. The Rockies have been aggressive and have shown interest in Beltran from the start. Its interesting to see how his numbers would increase for playing his home games in Coors Field. Remember, he hit three home runs there last year as a member of the Mets. Carlos Gonzalez and Troy Tulowitski would benefit as well from having Beltran in the order.
The Yankees seem content with their corner OFs of Brett Gardner and Nick Swisher. The Marlins don't really have a corner OF spot with Logan Morrison and Mike Stanton. I don't see the Cubs spending on a guy like Beltran, even though I know Theo Epstein is a Beltran fan. And like I said before, I think the Nationals are out because they will land Fielder.
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