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MLB Free Agency 2017: 5 potential teams for Carlos Beltran

By Brad Berreman

Sep 14, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Texas Rangers designated hitter Carlos Beltran (36) hits an RBI double during the first inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 14, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Texas Rangers designated hitter Carlos Beltran (36) hits an RBI double during the first inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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With MLB free agency set to turn up a notch soon, here are five potential landing spots for Carlos Beltran.

Carlos Beltran had a resurgent offensive campaign last season, with a .295/.337/.513 slash-line, 29 home runs and 93 RBI over 593 plate appearances (151 games) with the New York Yankees and Texas Rangers. After disappointing seasons in 2014 (.233, 15 home runs, 49 RBI) and 2015 (.276, 19 home runs, 67 RBI) with the Yankees, Beltran is hitting free agency on a high note.

Beltran will turn 40 soon after the start of next season (April 24), so he’s best-served staying in the American League where being a DH is an option. As expected, Rob Bradford of WEEI has reported four AL teams have the most interest in Beltran right now. At this early stage nothing can be ruled out, but it seems Beltran will not linger on the market for very much longer.

For teams that don’t have a great chance to sign free agent hitters like Edwin Encarnacion, Yoenis Cespedes and Jose Bautista, Beltran is among the cheaper viable alternatives. Here are five potential landing spots for the veteran switch-hitter.

5. New York Yankees

Bradford’s report suggested the Yankees are among the aforementioned teams that are in on Beltran. They obviously have some recent familiarity with him, and his production early in the 2016 season allowed them to swap Beltran to the Rangers for three prospects at the trade deadline.

The Yankees recently traded veteran catcher Brian McCann to the Astros, which clears an opportunity for Beltran to DH regularly. There are also a trio of unproven options in right field right now, with general manager Brian Cashman previously suggesting Aaron Judge, Aaron Hicks and Rob Refsnyder are all in the mix there heading into next season, so Beltran can provide some stability even if he’s only a part-time outfielder.

The Yankees have seen the best and worst of Beltran over the last few years, so their interest in him is noteworthy on a certain level. The friendly confines of Yankee Stadium, and other hitter-friendly parks in the AL East, can provide a soft landing spot for Beltran to remain a productive player.

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