Yankees Rumors: Bidding War for Beltran?

It appears a reunion between the Yankees and Carlos Beltran is a good possibility. The Yanks are in the market for a DH and are reportedly among one of three teams that are seriously bidding for his services.

Joel Sherman of the New York Post wrote on Tuesday the Yankees, Red Sox and Astros appear to be the three teams most interested in signing Carlos Beltran with the potential of the Rangers waiting in the wings.

A return to the Bronx for Beltran would make sense for the team who seem to be committed to avoiding big-money, long-term contracts. Over the weekend a couple MLB analysts said the Yankees are in position to sign, and will sign, a big free agent. Yankees GM Brian Cashman retorted those sentiments somewhat on Tuesday by saying free agent slugger Yoenis Cespedes is not in the plans for the Yanks this offseason (which makes sense but that’s for another time).

Beltran will be entering his age-40 season in 2017 but the guy can still hit. Last season with the Yankees and Rangers he slashed .295/.513/.850…his highest OPS since 2011 when he split time between the Mets and Giants.

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Beltran would return to New York not as the everyday right fielder he was during his time there but as the DH. The right field job in 2017 looks to be one for Aaron Judge to lose. In Boston he would immediately fill the void left by the retirement of David Ortiz. If Houston were to bring back Beltran, who hit 23 home runs in 90 regular season games and eight homers in two postseason series with the Astros in 2004 (yes it was that long ago), he’d be their everyday DH as well. Just last week the ‘Stros acquired

If Houston were to bring back Beltran, who hit 23 home runs in 90 regular season games and eight homers in two postseason series with the Astros in 2004 (yes it was that long ago), he’d be their everyday DH as well. Just last week the ‘Stros acquired Brian McCann from the Yankees and signed free agent outfielder Josh Reddick to a four-year contract.

What makes committing a short-term contract to Beltran even more appealing is the fact that his signing doesn’t come with draft pick compensation as he was traded mid-season last season. Speaking of no draft pick compensation, if a team were to sign another piece the Yankees traded last season in Aroldis Chapman, they also wouldn’t have to forfeit a pick. On Tuesday, Chapman said he “would love to be a Yankee again.”

Next: Which Former Yankees Will Be Elected to the Hall in 2017?

The Yankees are in prime position to go in any route they wish and signing Beltran would be an economical and productive move should they decide to stay the course they recently have.