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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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Mandatory Credit: Albert Dickson/Sporting News via Getty Images
Mandatory Credit: Albert Dickson/Sporting News via Getty Images /

4. Kansas City Royals

This is the feel-good team on this list. Beltran started his career with the Royals, winning American League Rookie of the Year in 1999, before being moved at the 2004 trade deadline.

But the Royals also have a significant void to fill offensively, with the free agent departure of Kendrys Morales after a very productive 2016 campaign (30 home runs and 93 RBI, .795 OPS). Morales saw most of his time last season as Kansas City’s designated hitter (138 of 154 games), but his three-year, $33 million deal with Toronto was clearly a little rich for the Royals to seriously compete with.

Royals general manager Dayton Moore has suggested the team’s payroll is likely to drop heading into next season. Allowing Morales to move on, with nothing more than rumored “definite interest”, fits that mold. Beltran is seven years older than Morales, but he’s also a cheaper option for the Royals if they want to bolster the middle of the lineup via free agency.

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