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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: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Toronto Blue Jays

With the aforementioned signing of Morales, the Blue Jays appear to be preparing for the prospect of losing both Encarnacion and Bautista in free agency. Morales is an option to DH and split time with Justin Smoak at first base, in Encarnacion’s stead, but if Bautista goes elsewhere a serious void will be left in right field as well as in the middle of Toronto’s lineup.

Beltran can help fill the power void left by Bautista and he, like Morales, provides the added lineup flexibility of being a switch-hitter. Exactly how at-bats at designated hitter would be divided between Morales, Smoak and Beltran is unclear, but Beltran did play a total of 69 games (67 starts) in right field last season and managed to avoid significant injury.

If defense in right field matters much to the Blue Jays, Beltran was not dramatically better or worse than Bautista was in 2016. It stands to come down to term and total money in a contract, no matter who the Blue Jays sign. So they could move quickly toward Beltran, if and when their chances to retain their own free agent sluggers fade.

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