MLB Free Agency: Kansas City Royals the favorite to land Carlos Beltran?

Oct 27, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals right fielder Carlos Beltran hits a RBI single against the Boston Red Sox in the third inning during game four of the MLB baseball World Series at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports /

Veteran free agent Carlos Beltran has received some attention from several teams so far this off-season but the sweepstakes may soon come to an end.

According to Bob Dutton on Twitter, some see the Kansas City Royals as the favorites to sign Beltran.

Many in industry now see #Royals as clear leaders to sign Beltran and believe #Mariners have a real shot to steal Cano from #Yankees.
— Bob Dutton (@ByBobDutton) December 4, 2013

Back in 1995, the Kansas City Royals selected Carlos Beltran in the draft and assigned him to their Gulf Coast League Rookie team in 1996. Beltran spent a couple seasons in the minors before making his Major League debut in 1998.

Beltran only played 15 games in ’98 but won the starting center fielder’s job and lead off hitters spot in 1999. The young Puerto Rican outfielder displayed some power that year and was later moved to the number three spot in the batting order.

Carlos finished the 1999 season with 22 home runs, 108 RBI’s and 27 stolen bases on a batting line of .293/.337/.454.

Ever since then, Beltran has been one of the best outfielders in the league. At the age of 36 (turns 37 in April), this may be the last contract he’ll sign as a professional baseball player.

I figured he would want to sign with a contender, but I could see him helping the Royals reach a Wild Card spot.

So after spending the first seven and a half years of his 16 year Major League career with the Kansas City Royals, it looks like he may be ending his career where it all started.

That ladies and gentlemen, is beautiful.

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