MLB rumors: Rival GM’s expect New York Yankees to sign Carlos Beltran
By Bryan Rose
Before free agency began, rumors began to swirl that the New York Yankees would attempt to do whatever they could to sign outfielder Carlos Beltran. Of course, this wouldn’t be the first time the Bronx Bombers had attempted to sway Beltran to New York as they attempted to do so a few years ago, but their efforts were rebuffed.
That may not be the case this go-around as Beltran reportedly has mutual interest in the Yankees and multiple front office executives around the league believe Beltran will end up in pinstripes:
"The Yankees are viewed as the strong favorites to land Carlos Beltran. Multiple executives with whom I spoke said that was the expectation.“I think at this point it would be an upset if he didn’t end up there,” one executive said.The Yanks want to limit Beltran to a two-year contract, but an AL official said, “Beltran wants three years, so I think the Yankees will either go three years or give him a [bleep]-load more on a two-year deal. I think the feeling in the industry is if it comes down to a two-year deal because no one goes to three, then the Yanks will win.”"
New York has a handful of outfielders on the roster already, including but not limited to Ichiro Suzuki, Brett Gardner, Alfonso Soriano and Vernon Wells. Adding Beltran into that mix would create an even bigger logjam, though, Soriano would likely find himself in a full-time designated hitter role.
Despite the expectations from rival general managers, there is no word of any contract at the current moment.