The Cardinals have addressed the Albert Pujols-sized void in their lineup by agreeing to terms with free agent outfielder Carlos Beltran. The contract is a two-year, $26MM deal that includes a full no-trade clause and will be finalized once Beltran passes a physical. Beltran is represented by Dan Lozano.
Beltran, who turns 35 in April, hit .300/.385/.525 in 598 plate appearances for the Mets and Giants in 2011. It was a solid return to good fitness for the six-time All-Star, who was plagued by knee injuries over the previous two seasons and made only 612 plate appearances combined in 2009-10. Beltran is slated to play right field in St. Louis until Allen Craig returns from injury, and then Beltran will shift to center field (with Jon Jay still receiving significant playing time). Beltran is also likely the Cardinals' top DH option during interleague games in American League ballparks.
A contract with a $13MM average annual value and no-trade protection is a very nice win for Beltran and Lozano, especially given that Beltran's market was rather thin as recently as two weeks ago. Once Michael Cuddyer and Josh Willingham signed, however, interest in Beltran picked up considerably. Beltran ended up receiving a higher AAV than either Cuddyer ($31.5MM over three years) or Willingham ($21MM over three years) received from the Rockies and Twins, respectively. The Indians and Blue Jays were considered to be the other finalists for Beltran's services, with the Rays and Red Sox also in the mix.
Though Beltran was a Type A free agent, the Giants will not receive a compensatory draft pick since they weren't allowed to offer him arbitration due to a clause in Beltran's previous contract with the Mets. The Cardinals, as well, don't have to give up any draft picks for the signing.
Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch was the first to break the story, with Yahoo Sports' Tim Brown and FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal also adding contract details.
Gee, wow…I really didn’t see this coming. (SARCASM)
Gee, wow… I realy didn’t see the sarcasm in your comment. (SARCASM)
Sarcasm is better when it’s subtle.
2 yrs at $126 mil per year as a thumb in Pujols eye?
oh come on
so jealous
edit: 25 million? COME ON
BEN. BEN CHERINGTON. WHERE ARE YOU.
Coco Crisp, here we come.
And that makes it official. Good luck with those knees, Beltran. Please find some one that can actually hit the baseball regularly, Friedman.
Played 142 games last season…
But played that same amount nearly combined in 2009 and 2010, albeit an older player now.
“If Beltran signs for 2 years at 8 mil per, it’s going to be the first time in a while I will be very upset with Friedman and think he missed a great opportunity. He’s just gonna resign Damon and Kotchman, watch. I want Pena now but he would just be the next let down.”
There is your post from earlier today. Now it’s a horrible deal, huh?
Sure is. It aint 2/16, now is it?
…and you weren’t going to get him for 2/16 either. Cuddyer pretty much made sure of that.
so what you are saying is a injury prone beltran is worth 2/16? sounds like you have no faith in his ability to stay on the field…why dont you just burn $16 MM?
I don’t think it was the money for Beltran, it was the location.
It was about the money. The location was making the best of a situation. I’d been saying all off season, that Beltran could be had for that exact price. He could not expect 3 yrs @ $15MM per with his age, his reputation and recent history of injury.
It’s been evident by the offers, that this was going to be the best deal his was going to get. The location made it the final point, grass field, great fans, WS champs and the fact that he still carries respect because of his past actions vs STL (’06 not withstanding) Great move on his part. Hope it works out all good!
And by location, you mean ball club.
No turf field and NL Central, I heard that he was offered more money and more years by other teams.
Boom! Victoy after one comment. Well done, sir.
u jelly?
good day for baseball news!
good signing by the cards, only a two year deal, possible vesting option?
If this is less than $11MM a year it’s a steal. Like the signing and really like not having the 3rd year.
I really doubt it. 2/$23 to 2/$25M is my guess.
Probably. It was just speculated earlier that his offer from the Cardinals could be around $8MM/yr. If it could somehow be less than $10MM, there will still be some room for another upgrade.
That’d be fantastic – and quite similar to Berkman really – but I think $8M was just the original offer to get things rolling. If it’s under $10M I’d be really happy.
Tim Brown of Yahoo is reporting a bit more than 2/$25.
Woooo Hm
Good work, Mo.
I’m happy bout this.
Anything under ~$14M/year for only two years has to be considered a big win.
Two year deal should work out well for both sides. The Cardinals get hopefully the last couple really good years he has left, while Beltran gets a chance to win a ring. Win-win for each party.
That’s a relief. I was afraid the Red Sox would do something dumb, like try to play him in right field at Fenway.
no right field is bigger than at&t and beltran played well there
Cards made a great deal!!!
Good move by the Cards.
hoping this turns out to be as beautiful as the Berkman deal was last year any estimate what the price was
If the Cards got him for cheap…..
Ugh, why must we have turf?
Some genius needs to invent a retractable playing surface.
I was hoping he would go to an American League team. He could be transitioned to be a designated hitter. I also don’t want to see the Mets face him.
Hey, that replaces Albert Pujols!
Oh wait, no it doesn’t. I’m sorry.
it sure helps, who out there for the money that he will get would produce more, no one! everyone is a hater!
Coco Crisp? Josh Willingham would have been a smarter signing. Lots of 3 WAR outfielders out there this season. Unless Beltran comes with a time machine.
Crisp, Willingham… Joke! Cards got the best available player.
really coco crisp? a .314 on base, really? and willingham, didnt he bat .248 last year, yeah much better!
josh willingham is a bum
They’re all 3 WAR guys?
WAR – last year
Willingham — 2.1Crisp — 2.2
Beltran — 4.7
WAR – Career Average
Willingham — 1.9
Crisp — 2.4
Beltran — 4.4
Also, Crisp doesn’t really fit the Cardinals needs. They’re looking for another middle of the order bat. Willingham is certainly a better option than Crisp, but Beltran still slugs 20 points higher than Willingham.
Furthermore, Beltran will split time in both Right and Center with Craig and Jay (and offensively, at least, will be our best CF option by far). Willingham, from his baseball-ref page seemingly hasn’t played an inning in CF in his career.
Beltran’s only knock is the injury risk, but he should get plenty of days off with the aforementioned Craig and Jay taking quite a few starts. As long as Beltran doesn’t suffer from some freak injury (meaning one that didn’t happen due to playing day after day after day, but one that could’ve happened to anyone), Beltran and the Cardinals probably represented the best fit for each other.
Try looking at WAR/PA. It will blow your mind! (Crisp was a better choice for St. Louis)
if i was a brewers fan i would have wanted the cards to sign crisp too, but im a cards fan and they signed the better of the 2
If any stat says Crisp is better than Beltran, it is a stupid stat…
Even if WAR/PA says Crisp is better, he doesn’t fit their needs. They weren’t looking for a top of the lineup guy, they were looking for a middle of the lineup guy, and Crisp with his .406 slugging wasn’t what the Cardinals needed.
I am curious though. I go to fangraphs or baseball-reference for my baseball stats, and neither has a stat for WAR/PA. Are you just taking total WAR and dividing it by PA’s or is there a site that actually breaks it down per plate appearance?
Josh Willingham would have been a smarter signing? Really? Come on.
im no hater, good signing
I agree with you on that, but I think we should win more games next year than last year.
This was a solid signing for the Cards. No it won’t come close to replacing Albert but the fact is that nobody could (argument possibly for Prince).
In any event, the dollars and years all make sense. The two parties need each other and a reasonable expectation of 3 wins/season for Beltran sounds right.
I think the Cards were fools for not bringing Pujols back but this is definitely a step in the right direction to fend off the Reds.
Beltran+Craig+Wainwright > Jay+Pujols+Jackson
if all healthy
Albert’s wOBA last year .385
Beltran’s wOBA last year .389
If Beltran can play an adequate center in playoff games and occasionally throughout the year I’d argue that the cardinals are better suited for a playoff run this year than last.
If Beltran stays healthy he will be just what the doctor ordered.
When Craig gets back, this is still possibly the strongest lineup in the NL
Furcal
Craig/Beltran
Holliday
Berkman
Freese
Craig/
Molina
Better in the same division:
Hart
Morgan
Braun
A-Ram
Weeks
Gamel
Lucroy
Brewers aren’t better at every position, but 51 games into the season they will certainly have a better overall lineup.
gamel has done nothing…nyjer morgan is a cancer
– Braun for 50 games. He cheated.
You mean he’s a cancer that managed a .778 OPS and 4 WAR in 430 PAs, right?
lets see what happens this year without his buddy prince…nyjer morgan is a disgrace to the game…i wish chris volstad/gaby snachez/jayson werth wouldve knocked him out…he was on 3 teams in a span of 8 months…just wait, his anger problems will arise soon
He means as in a cancer who likes to open his mouth, that gets him in trouble a lot. I recall him saying that the Cardinals would be watching the Brewers in the playoffs, wonder how crow tasted to Morgan when his words cameback to bite him. And then eatting the wall, when Pujols (if I recall right) hit a ball to cf that Morgan over ran and went into the wall. Classic …. Morgan.
Yeah maybe Pujols will hit another one out to him… oh, wait. Pujols ditched St. Louis. Sorry
yeah and braun’s gonna miss 50 games! every team has problems! pujols leaving doesnt make your team better
Maybe Fielder can make up for the time Braun will miss due to him cheating…. oh wait, Fielder ditched Milwaukee. Sorry
Or maybe Beltran.
Not to argue, but it will be interesting to see which Nyjer Morgan you get.
The one who put up monster years with both the Nationals and Brewers the first year or the guy who couldn’t even get it together with Pittsburgh and was pretty mediocre in his 2nd year in Washington.
Given his attitude (and my bias as a Cardinals fan), I don’t see the way he acted last year as being a changed person because he was in a winning situation, but rather that his new teammates still found his schtick amusing and charming. Will they still find it amusing in year 2? It’s certainly something that could be a big part in telling the story of the 2012 Brewers. Getting another 4 WAR or better season out of Morgan would be huge and could help them in what looks like it could be a tight race. Getting a 1 WAR season from him could be enough to sink their chances, especially with Fielder likely gone and Braun out for 50.
As long as whatever cancer he has doesn’t effect his hitting ability then l’chaim.
Hart > Furcal
Morgan Holliday
Ramirez < Berkman
Weeks = Freese
Gamel < Craig
Lucroy < Molina
Cards: 3
Brewers: 3
Looks fairly comparable to me, not really better.
Aside from the fact that what you just did is the silliest “analysis” ever, Weeks = Freese? LOL
Freese Career line: .298/.354/.429
Weeks Career line: .255/.354/.435
I wouldn’t necessarily agree, but the comparison is relatively fair.
Freese has done it in 667 PAs, with a .365 BABIP. Good luck sustaining those numbers.
I don’t think them equal, but the “LOL” comment was extreme. You can have a valid discussion of which of the two is better… that’s not true at every position in his comparison.
The discussion would be like:
Who is better Weeks or Freese?
Weeks.
End of discussion.
Better question is who is better in the playoffs, Weeks or Freese? Weeks. End of discussion.
That’s not a better question at all. If the question was who is better in the playoffs, Freese obviously would be better right now. Weeks is still the better player overall, and its not even close.
Yea I know I was just kiddin. Freese was obviously better in the playoffs. I think it’s too soon to decide who is better overall between the two though. Freese hasn’t played more than 100 games in 1 season yet in the majors yet, but him and Weeks have very similar stat lines so far.
I see you’re still studying math.. by your calculations its actually cards 4 brewers 2.. let’s,not forget Brauns 50 game suspension and the fact that holiday had 7 injuries last year and is now in his prime.. oh yeah.. Wainwright is back too? brewers have no choice but to make a move for dominate player otherwise they are stuck in 3rd place for a while..
haha. Nice save. Math never was my strong suit. You make a good point on the Holliday v. Braun thing. I’m a Cardinals fan like yourself. I didn’t want to be bias, so I gave them the benefit of the doubt.
First 50 games:
Hart>Furcal
Morgan<Beltran
Ramirez<Holliday
Weeks<Berkman
Gamel<Freese
Gomez<Craig
Lucroy<Molina
Gonzalez<Schumaker
7-1 Cardinals by my calculations.
Adam Wainwright is the key player with the Cards next year, if he comes back strong they are a better team.
But, Braun looks like he’ll miss the 1st 50 games. So, that will hurt the Brewers.
LOL!!!
Umm… no? Braun plays a max of 112 games next year, so you figure what, like 20 home runs 60-70 RBIs. We have 4 guys that can do that, and then some.
Last year, the Cardinals offense was better than the Brewers (scoring 40 more runs). The Cardinals replaced Pujols with Beltran. The Brewers replaced Fielder with Ramirez. Loss versus replacement is pretty much a wash.
I think that the Brewers offense is marginally better solely due to a decline in Berkman’s production.
Of course, if Braun is suspended, the Cardinals are clearly better until he returns.
Lol the only hitter on that team that is better than the cardinals hitters won’t be playing for the first 50 games. And who knows how good he’ll be off the juice.
Milwaukee mortgaged their future for their chance last year, you can fight the pirates for third place now.
Healthy Beltran more value than Puljos and Im a Rangers Fan Good Siging
lmao…you serious hahahaha
Healthy Beltran in 2003 is more valuable than Pujols in 2016.
Coming from the guy who has no sense of grammar/spelling.
Dollar for dollar, I’d agree. A healthy Beltran puts up more than half the production of Pujols, at slightly less than half the cost (per year).
I’d still rather have Pujols, though.
Pujols last year had a wOBA of .385 Beltran .389
He seems redundant. Cards have enough corner bats.
What else was on the open market that was better? They don’t need Oswalt or Jackson, Fielder is overpriced, and Crisp is inferior.
Where else would they spend the money?
2/$25 doesn’t kill payroll if they want to add another minor piece or two, or if they pick up salary in a trade. By not signing a 3 year deal, they have him out of the way sooner if big names (i.e. Votto) become available in free agency in the near future.
I think Jackson is exactly who they needed. You’re replacing Westbrook with Jackson a huge upgrade.
And you’re stuck paying Westbrook anyway. No one else will take his salary.
The $10 million or so Jackson gets, he’ll earn. Add Westbrook’s $8.5 million, and Jackson is far overpriced.
Besides, why would you sign a pitcher to a long term deal (Jackson will get at least three years) when Miller is almost ready, and Martinez isn’t far behind?
Lohse is a free agent after this year. Wainwright and Carpenter after next.
If they fail to sign Wainwright to an extension, a Jackson deal looks even worse, and even at his age, I’d rather have Carpenter than Jackson.
No thanks.
We’re stuck with Lohse and Westbrook this year. Next year, with luck, its Waino/Carp/Garcia/Miller/Martinez. If Martinez isn’t ready, take a cheap pitcher for the fifth starter and you still have a good rotation.
Jackson is a waste of money for the Cardinals.
I’d say Lynn has a better chance to get into the 2013 rotation than Martinez.
He’d certainly qualify as a cheap replacement, as would Boggs or Rzepcienski.
Either way, I think Jackson is a waste of money, given the Cardinals outlook.
Definitely.
Definitely.
Wainwright has 2 years left (Cards picked up both of his options), and should be locked up …. assuming he shows he’s healthy in 012.
Are the Cards going to offer fewer years/discount dollars to him?? Is he going to take it??
Cards are set for a 2 year run. The 2014 team will look drastically different than the 2012 team…
Martinez is very good, but way behind Miller in terms of readiness. I wouldn’t expect him until mid 2014….
This was an overpay. He’s gonna get injured because he’s too stubborn to be a DH and the Cards not only are going to bench Craig and let him play OF but they paid too much for it.
Craig will get playing time in right, with Beltran moving to center. He’s no everyday centerfielder anymore, but Matheny will get Craig’s bat in the lineup..
even if he plays 115 games and hits .280 with 18 homers i would be happy, so why is this an overpay? just cause your team is cheap! and are you hoping he gets hurt? classy
You need to figure out how do you like your crow? That’s a a good price for Beltran. When he puts up solid numbers this year, you won’t be so quick to say you were wrong.
It’s way too much for Beltran actually a guy who is 34 but since he probably lied about his age he’s really 36 or 37, If i was desperate for a bat, i would give him no more then 10 mil for 2 yrs with a ton of incentives.
Please explain why you know he ” he probably lied about his age…”
Nearly every latin player has lied about their age, Miguel Tejada, Alfonso Soriano, Albert Pujols is probably really 34 or 35. My point is everyone I named was hurt and on the DL at least 3 times the last 4 yrs. They are aging so whatever age they say they are you can probably add 3-4 yrs to get their correct age.
Cards are flushed with cash from World Series and next year have $32 million coming off payroll. An extra couple of million to sign Beltran is well worth the risk in light of the potential gain.
Most of what is coming off payroll is going to be getting higher assuming we resign Wainwright and Molina. And since they are both in the top 5 in the majors at their position, I’d say we should keep them.
Of the 32 coming off 12 is for berkman, if he still is producing we’ll probably want to resign him.
But Lohse can be replaced with Miller, and Westbrook can be replaced with either Zep or Lynn either way we’ll have money to give both players raises.
I do worry Molina is gone to the Angels anyways.
Molina & Waino raises would account for 8-10 million. If Cards win it all again in 12:) Berk walks away with a huge grin on his face
Wainwright is not a top 5 pitcher. Verlander, Kershaw, Sabathia, Hernandez, and Lincecum are all better.
I guess that’s just like, your opinion, man.
I’ll give you Verlander and Sabathia. I’d say he’s pretty even with Lincecum. Not Kershaw and Hernandez though. And Weaver is better than Kershaw and Hernandez, too.
how is sabathia bette? wainwright outpitched him both of the last 2 sasons before this yearr
Well, that’s a hard comparison to make really. Sabathia pitches in a tough division and in a huge spotlight. No offense to Wainwright, though. He’s my favorite player.
Well, that’s a hard comparison to make really. Sabathia pitches in a tough division and in a huge spotlight. No offense to Wainwright, though. He’s my favorite player.
No, Craig is out until May. Who would you have put in RF then, until Craig gets back? Without Beltran, no one would have been in RF …. if the Cardinals didn’t sign anyone who can hit and has a bat. Unless you think Schumaker can hit a ton, oh wait he doesn’t bring much offense. Chambers can’t hit a ton also, and at best could be a bench player. Once Craig gets back, Craig will be in RF and Beltran in CF. No big worry there. Jon Jay does better shareing time.
Cardinals need to sign Roy Oswalt and Brad Lidge, get the rest of the active band together.
I think Berkman & Beltran are enough…
maybe craig biggio can be the Cards bat boy
haha. In all honesty, I would rather have Biggio come back from retirement to play 2nd base than Skip or Greene.
Cherrington and AA are looking for bargains and are missing out on key players for their teams. They keep coming in 2nd and 3rd. Although this was not their choice, Beltran felt more comfortable with the Cards away from the AL East.
Pretty sure Beltran is the first guy to get signed/traded who I even remotely wanted the Red Sox to get.
Thats you not the Sox, no closer, no starters, no RF. Bailey, Gio, Beltran, You snooze, you lose.
Apparently it’s the Sox too because this is what they said they were going to do (let the market come to them), and it’s more like “you snooze, you get Oswalt for one year instead of 3.”
Bailey is still available, Gio would have been a bad deal for Boston, and Beltran would have been a luxury not a need.
damnnnnnn !!!…said Allen Craig
Craig is out until May, so how would Craig play RF when he’s hurt? Beltran will go play CF, once Craig returns. Craig will then be in RF. No big deal, at least now the Cardinals have someone for RF, until Craig gets back.
I’m seeing a rotation of Beltran, Craig, and Jay between CF and RF with Beltran getting most of the playing time.
I was wondering that if it Dayton Moore feeling all Christmasy and sentimental for Royals past would add to his weekly haul of Yuniesky Betancourt’s return by adding Carlos Beltran back to the Royals roster. Between Betencourt and Beltran, a team would have one solid player.
Betancourt actually did pretty well for the Royals; compare his production to that of the two career minor league relief pitchers the Mariners got for him, and then being able to flip him for an elite SS glove in Escobar. As a utility IF, Betancourt is a nice fall-back for a young roster. As for Beltran, the Royals didn’t even sniff at him. Corner OF is not a priority and Beltran lacks the range in CF to cover the expanse of The K. The days of Royals-bashing are about over, my friend.
I think that paying $2M plus another half M in incentives for Betancourt to be a utility player is an unwise decision. I realize that the Royals don’t operate in a vacuum, but asking Betancourt to play a utility role is a dubious decision. I’d also argue that Greinke got them Escobar, and that Betancourt was a toss in. Milwaukee knew what they didn’t have with him, so he’s no longer on their roster.
It’s not a major deal, but it is revealing. It’s not what teams pay for actual talent, it’s what they pay the Yuniesky Betencourts. If they were looking to fill the utility role….they had better and cheaper options. Honestly, they could have scraped around AAA and found a better option. Nothing justifies this move for the Royals.
As far as contention. I agree. I actually think the Royals are one front end starter away from competing as they sit. My only concern is if Dayton Moore will deal the parts to get the arm they need.
This is a good signing. 2YR/25M for Beltran can payoff big. I was actually hoping that the M’s would get in on him, but it looks like they will continue to wait on Fielder. Meanwhile, other teams are picking the market clean. Anyhow, good job for the Cardinals!
Its hard to imagine Beltran in a Cardinals uniform. He’s always been a Cardinals Killer.
I know right? The ’04 NLCS still gives me nightmares..
Strike three in 2006 cured me of any fear I had of him.
word
my favorite pitch of all time
HAHA the rockets off the right field wall for singles. Luckily you guys had Walker’s arm.
He is no Pujols but were only committed for 2 years with Albert we would have had him in his 40s and by that time he would be running bases with a walker. Good Deal and better bargain than Albert the Fake!!!
How is Albert fake? I can undestand that if youre a Cards fan that youre sad about him leaving but in no way he is a fake. He took a good deal and played it right by signing with an AL team. He knows he is getting older and will need to DH in the future. Smart move by him if you ask me.
I feel he is a fake because he said he “wanted to be a cardinal for life” 22-24 mil a year wasn’t enough ? He wanted all the money he could get, that’s fine, but don’t mislead the cardinal fans. 2@rayderousse:disqus -24 mil a year is like hitting a multistate lottery EVERY year !!
im sure he did want to be a Cardinal for life. We only see what happens in terms and dollars. We dont see the offers the Cardinals gave him or how hard they tried to keep him a Card for life. This is the same thing over and over but would you take 20-40 million less when that offer is on the table. I would love to have an extra 20-40 bucks a week or 200-400 bucks a month.
I’m not saying Pujols wasn’t justified in taking the much better offer, but he already has more money than he can spend over the rest of his lifetime. Does the extra dough really matter to multi-millionaires like it does for the average person?
Hey he lied to his fans..He said he wanted to stay but sold out for a higher bid. Thats pretty fake to me…
Get over yourself! For the record- his name is
Albert SHOW ME THE MONEY!!!! Pujols
a yankees fan talking about a player going for more money…ironic
A Cardinals fan implying that his team’s players would play’ just for the love of the game’… how disingenuous
you might see that walker by 2013 with this guy too
To the Rays, thats a lot. Once again, the front office fails to get a big name.I cant blame them after what happened with Burrell. I guess they will just win with defense and pitching again
It looks like the turf field did the Jays and Rays in for Beltran.
the up side on beltran is too great to pass up i am a yankees fan and think he would had being great for the yankees
What position would he haved played for the Yankees?
DH
And stick Montero back into the minors again? Isn’t this kid ready to be in the Majors considering he’s done all he can do in the minors? The kid has to be called up some day, no?
Sign Beltran giving up only cash. Trade Swisher, see earlier thread about teams interested in Swish, for a couple good prospects or mid rotation SP….
DL lol
I like this deal for Cards gives there lineup a really good bat and with Wainwright coming back next year..WOOO looks for Cards to be a threat in that division again..
Beltran/ Furcal is pretty darn close to Pujols/ Theriot. More injury prone, but was less expensive. Solid move for the Cardinals. More at bats for Craig should help quite a bit.
No it’s not. Don’t kid yourself
Add wainright & this team is much better
Simply not what I was responding to.
Injury prone is not the accurate term … try injured already.
based upon last year’s numbers yes it is.
Not even close. Sorry. Injury prone is an understatment.
Us Mets fans are very happy for Carlos Beltran.Good signing def by the Cardinals
Excellent signing by the Cards! He’s no Pujols but he will fit nicely in that lineup.
Maybe he can lean on his bat in the outfield lol
Good move by the Cards, almost too good of a fit not to happen.
Was hoping the Sox would get him for RF, but the offense/outfield wasn’t really an area of need so I wasn’t overly surprised when I read that they were “out” on him the other day.
Zack Wheeler
Sounds like there is little faith in a full season of John jay. I know it says he will get a ton of time but it just seems like he Beltran will get at least half the time in center when Craig comes back. Makes sense jays swing is scary.
He’ll also get plenty of time in right field even after Craig comes back, as Berkman will need some days off (or get hurt) while Craig slides over to first base. Craig will probably also get some days off against tough righties.
thanks for 4 great years and zach wheeler carlos, good luck
you know the Beltran contract is one of the few 100 million dollar contracts that was actually a pretty good deal. For 6 years and 100 million the mets got 4 really elite years and traded him for the last year and got a really good prospect. Not to often you can point to the Mets front office and say they did something right.
so who wins the central next year?
barring injuries the cardinals. If not the Reds.
Too many variables in play to call this a good signing. I’d be happy if we saw two years of production from Beltran similar to what he produced in 2011. What are the chances of that, though? His knees are worse than Berkman’s.
Almost no chance. You’re crazy lucky if he’s on the field for half of that contract. Either he was totally disingenuous the last couple of years, or he’s held together by string. This was a nuts signing by an NL team. He’s MUCH more valuable as a DH
Maybe, but he’s still got a good glove when he can get on the field, and it works out better for the Cardinals than probably any other NL team, since he’s now basically part of a 4 man platoon playing 3 positions.
His glove and bat are awesome… I can’t argue that. The issue is his knees and the looming specter of microfracture surgery.
He’s got a huge ego, hence why he’s being stubborn about going to the AL… He wants to do what he wants to do. I don’t wish him or the Cards bad… 4 great years and Zack Wheeler is a total win for us Mets. Considering we can’t even afford a back up catcher, we’ll take the wins where we can get them.
Well, I can say that they fill a small part of the huge void with Pujols leaving. Even though I am a Cubs fan, it will feel weird to see Pujols in an Angel uniform and not a Cardinal uniform.
I wouldn’t worry too much. I’m a die hard Mets fan and if he signed with the Phillies (obviously in 2012 world it wouldn’t matter as we suck donkey balls), I wouldn’t be that nervous. He can hit, but last year he played with legs made out of straw. It looked like he might retire last spring and somehow he pulled a few more games out of his unrepairable legs.
I can’t believe we got Zack Wheeler for a guy we were amazed was still on the field.
Me likey.
Me likey too. God loves the Cardinals. Who can deny that the Red Birds are the best team in the world now? Albert is gonna be sorry he left. I hate Albert. I predict that we win 110 games next season and the World Series and that the Brewers won’t get into the playoffs again for 5 years because they suck. Matt Holliday is awesome and Braun is awful. Braun is not the best left-fielder in the game or even in the nl central. Holliday’s bat and defense is far far superior to the lowly mr. cheater. I hope Braun never plays a game again because we Cardinals fans hate the brewers, just like we hated the Reds the year before and the Cubs before that and the Astros before that.
Typical Cardinal fan.
I would say the typical Cardinal fan would show a little more respect to one of the best hitters in the game. That guy is a loon.
Haha, I got to say your irracional comment made my day.
u madder than hillary
This does it, the Cardinals are the best team in all of baseball.
Cardinal fans—
Just curious, but what are your expectations for Beltran in 2012?
I see a slash of .285/.370/.500 with 24 home runs. I’m hoping for 120-130 games out of him as well.
In other words… Well worth the money.
.280/.360/.510
I’m seeing similar to you with around 23-25 hr , but this all depends on health of course. I think being able to give him days off with Craig/Jay avail and DH him in interleague games will help to keep him as fresh as anywhere else could have.
Agreed. If he matches or nears these stats I’ll be happy.
.283/.373/.531 with 28 HR’s. Not only playing in a more fair Ball Park hitting wise, I think having some real protection behind him for the first time in a long time will do him wonders.
I considered the protection factor as well, but i just can’t see 28 bombs at this point. The .531 is possible, but IMO a raise in OBP is more likely than a raise in SLG. Overall though I’m hoping for a .850-.910 in OPS.
I suggest hopping on google and looking at stories from his last spring training. The fact he was healthy last year almost has me thinking he’s got Barbara Eden in a bottle in his house. The man can still hit, but his legs are made of scotch tape and hamster meat.
GO RED BIRDS!!!
Way to fing blow it Giants, way to fing blow it.
i feel the same way i felt in july…crazy upset about how they traded six years of zack wheeler for half 2-3 months of beltran.
With what money? The Giants have admitted that their payroll is already full. It’s just another carryover from that terrible Zito contract.
And the Rowand contract…don’t forget that.
I feel more confident going into the 2012 season with our current roster than I was last year with Pujols on the team. Even if Wainwright performs half as well as he’s capable of this year coming off Tommy John he’ll still be an effective starter. Our bullpen is much improved and Motte looks to be the guy in the ninth this year, something that has not been consistent for the Birds in recent years. I think it will all come down to keeping our rather injury prone and somewhat old team off the DL. But with extra depth at first and outfield the Cardinals should be able to platoon more when Craig returns and allow days off for Berkman and Beltran. Our competition in the Central is laughable, our only real competition is the Brewers but they haven’t done anything except lose Prince to free agency and Braun for 50 games due to suspension. Cincinnati made it clear that they are a non-factor and the Chicago Scrubs and Astro’s continue to be awful. The Cards definitely win the central and could make a deep run in the playoffs. 12 in ’12.
The Reds are a non factor how? Mr. Arrogant Cardinal D Bag Fan?
Look I know whatever magic drink that Marky M had Berkman drink last season will probably work just fine for Beltran and magically he will not get hurt at all…. but I do not see the Reds as a non-factor with the upgrade in their pitching.
When my team has 11 world series wins I’m allowed to be arrogant. The Cardinals have more world series wins (11) than the Reds do pennants (9). Not to mention we are the CURRENT world champs. When is the last time your Reds could say that? The Reds have been in the CARDINALS division for 17 years and have only won it twice.
As a Cardinals fan, the Reds scare me more than the Brewers do for next year. They still have most of their offense that drove them to the division title in 2010, and their pitching looks quite a bit more formidable with the addition of Latos.
In an Insider-only column, ESPN’s Keith Law calls the Sean Marshall trade a win for the Cubs. “The Reds, meanwhile, continue what I can only assume is a rapid emptying of their farm system to try to win again in the two years before Joey Votto reaches free agency,” he added.
Believe me…not happy that they had to give up 4 players just to get Latos. I mean they really needed to throw in Broxberger or Grandal?
You also need 3 players for 1 relief pitcher/..even if he has been a Top 3 RP for last few years? Torreyes probably reminded Theo of his own former Boston little man….minus the power.
As any Cardinal fan would know….Walt J does not value prospects unless they are high end cannot miss ones. Not just potential ones.
Believe me…not happy that they had to give up 4 players just to get Latos. I mean they really needed to throw in Broxberger or Grandal?
You also need 3 players for 1 relief pitcher/..even if he has been a Top 3 RP for last few years? Torreyes probably reminded Theo of his own former Boston little man….minus the power.
As any Cardinal fan would know….Walt J does not value prospects unless they are high end cannot miss ones. Not just potential ones.
In an Insider-only column, ESPN’s Keith Law calls the Sean Marshall trade a win for the Cubs. “The Reds, meanwhile, continue what I can only assume is a rapid emptying of their farm system to try to win again in the two years before Joey Votto reaches free agency,” he added.
As an Astros fan, I remember our 2004 lineup with a middle of the order of Biggio, Bagwell, Beltran, Berkman and Kent (oh I long for the days !) and the havoc generated by the switch hitting duo of Beltran and Berkman. Obviously neither is at their peak at this time, but between the two the Cards can still count for 50+ HRs and around 200 RBIs. Good signing, and with Wainwright back the Cards will win the division (and contend for the World Series again). The Reds are going to be better with Latos but not enough to overtake the Cards. The Brewers will not be as good without Fielder. And the rest are in rebuilding mode.
beltran is very good at convincing teams he tries in non- contract years apparently. When Berkmann takes another stat dive, then beltran and furcal are both hurt, I don’t want to hear “we’re just unlucky”
Bad signing for the Cards. This will no doubt blow up in their faces, I guarantee that.
No doubt this long term high dollar contract will hamstring their franchise for the next decade atleast.
Very reasonable signing by the cards. To get a hitter of that caliber and only have to commit for two years is tremendous. Can’t believe the Giants weren’t in it for that amount of years/$. Very short-sighted by Giants ownership.
I wonder what the first convo is going to be between Beltran and Wainwright
Great signing for Cardinals and a very fair deal for Beltran. I will go on record to say the Cardinals are a better team on paper this year with Wainwright back, Furcall for a full season defensive, Craig and Freese a full season under them and a way better over bullpen and depth in the bullpen. The only thing that scares me isoraig, Beltran, Freese, Beltran, and Furcall all have history of being hurt. n paper best and deep team Crtdinals have had in years.
Think so too. I know he has an injury history lately, but the numbers he put up last year were excellent. I didn’t quite understand the reluctance of some teams to take a chance on a still way above average hitter.
Thank you Mo! Well done and good price. Cardinals just won the NL Central in my opinion. Healthy Wainwright and Healthy Beltran > Pujols.. we ARE a better team in 2012!
…And he’s still got glove!
Dude, who didn’t call this?
I feel your pain. Maybe not to the extreme of a Darvish but this keeps happening to us for different reasons. It usually money but now it was because of our damn turf.
Craig’s out til at least May, and you never know with offseason surgeries
Then they have to find someone to replace Craig’s production off the bench. I’m confident in Craig as a starter, but some people don’t realize how big it was having him off the bench last year. When Holliday went down or when Berkman needed time off, the offense didn’t miss a beat inserting him in the lineup.
Hater. And those are some bold predictions for a couple of guys that had over .900 ops.
really, the reds will win the division, what a joke! and the only thing that is “goina fall apart this year garunteed” is your spelling!
I agree
It’s not really a bold prediction for Beltran. Beltran missed some time last year related to his knee I think after he got traded to San Fransisco.
I think Berkman will be fine but Beltran I’d worry about a little bit. I think it’s a solid acquisition for the Cardinals though if Beltran stays healthy.
Played 142 games last year…
I agree about the health. But im not looking for him to play 162 games. Im sure he’ll get lots of breaks with Craig and Jay and Chambers. Hopefully we dont over play him.
It was his wrist not the knee with SF.
Agreed. Craig will still get ample playing time coming off the bench, maybe 415 PAs. Bench looks pretty good too.
that’s pretty much what happened last year. Tony loves his lineups.
I guess.
Furcal is 34, which is old for a middle infielder.
Craig is 27 (Not old)
Beltran is 34, not that old for an outfielder, but admittedly an injury prone player.
Holliday is 31 (Not old, especially for a LF)
Berkman is 35 and seems older than that, but if he keeps the weight off, he’s not really a health risk, and he’ll be in at 1B, where aging hitters go to add a couple more productive years on to their careers (in the outfield, this would concern me)
Jon Jay is 26 (Not old)
David Freese is 28 (Not old)
and Molina is 29.
They’re not a young team, and I’ll certainly give you they’re not going to be a fast team, but once Craig gets back, they’ll have plenty of outfield depth to spell Beltran enough to where I think he’ll probably have a good chance of being healthy.
But one 35-year-old and two 34-year-olds (especially with one of them at 1B) isn’t a huge area of concern for me. It wouldn’t shock me if injuries hit this team, but I don’t think anyone’s of such an age that they’re going to see anyone’s production drop off a cliff.
Heck. They look downright young compared to the 2011 Yankees, with Jeter, A-Rod and Posada.
why is this a terrible move?
“Nelson” is a donkey
Agree w you Nelson. The guy is falling apart. Why in the world would anyone pay a 56 year old outfielder with 2 bad knees and no D $13M per year? Lazy lazy lazy
Clearly you’ve never read Nelson’s comments before.
Technically, he still has a glove. He may not be able to use it well, though.
Assuming Craig is healthy and can produce, I doubt they want Beltran more than 120 games this year. Craig will need to find the field if they are going to develop him.
He was still on the DL. It was the first season he eclipsed 82 games since 2008.
I don’t think he’ll ever play more than 140-145 again but with the depth the Cardinals have, there shouldn’t be much of a need for that.
I was mainly pointing out that the guy’s comment wasn’t completely “hate” driven.
With the rotation of Jay and Craig and with interleague play he most likely only plays 120-125 games in the field.
Yeah once Craig comes back and Jon Jay goes back to being a fourth outfielder, they’re going to have some great depth in the outfield. I mainly pointed out that it wasn’t like the guy who posted was just being a “hater” last year was the first time Beltran was healthy in years.
I love the signing for the Cardinals. If Beltran gives them 120-140 games, I think he’ll be well worth the price of admission.
Well, injuries could hit and the Reds could win. But this does make the Cardinals favorites, with the Brewers and Reds laying in wait behind them.
Injuries can derail any team though.
I think the Reds have some holes to fill but realistically I don’t think they’re that far off from the Cardinals. A full year of Cueto, a full year of Latos, they’re a better team than last year.
Without Beltran, I had the Cardinals as the second best team. I think the move put them over the Reds, but I really could see the division going either way.
you are forgetting no tony , toni , tone
Thought so I remember him hurting it in Philadelphia, I just wasn’t sure if that’s why he missed time. Figured somebody would correct me on it.
probably get 1 game a week off.. not investing 26 million to play part time.
Probably won’t… Carp sat for 2 years. Sometimes it takes some time to get healthy. Did not spend 26 Million to play part time. He will probably get 1 game a week rest is my best guess.
If need be, Berkman can call Beltran and get him in better shape. Berkman got into better shape last offseason, that was one of the big reasons to why Berkman did well in 011. Because, he got healthy in the offseason and lost weight. He even started running better near the end of the season. In 010, it seems like Berkman rushed himself back to fast, after having knee surgery.
Latos in a hitters ballpark, will be a test to see how good he really is….
I’m shocked there was only one!
HEY EVERYONE WE HAVE A GENIUS OVER HERE
BLEACHER CREATURE’s comments need to stop getting deleted.
That is all.
you may not have been able to watch him well this year…he flashed leather all year long.
On it!
Keenan go home. I will be amazed if Carlos doesn’t have to be taken off the field in a gurney after every game. Ever heard the expression “contract year”?
He hasn’t put up 6 WAR since 2008, so I doubt he does it again now in his age. 13 mil a year is a lot, but not an overpay. If he produces, it’s good. If he gets injured, then the deal was obviously an overpay. Beltran should not be compared to Pujols at any rate. Good player but not a steal by any means.
At least one.
When Pujols is Beltran’s Age he will be owed 7/181
Like a boss
If his road statistics in 2010 are any indication, if he repeats that performance he’ll put up a 3.14 type ERA. That’s what I’m expecting out of him next year.
Believe it or not, his road splits are comparable to his home splits. Look it up.
Yeah hire Angry3 right away. He’ll make the Jays the World Series Champs this year.
why would you platoon lind? lind DH, pena 1B. simple.
You bring up a good point with the depth it will give us. Jay IMO is a starter, so it gives us 4 good, quality outfielders. Jay I see becoming trade bait however. He could probably pull something good.
the cincinnati reds would like to speak to you….
now is the time for Roy Oswalt taking a year with the Birds……with Wainwright coming back the Reds can “rebuild” again. With Braun 50 shades lighter and a Fielderless Brewcrew I can see the Birds back in the playoffs. The Cubs? Are they still signing contracts with major league players?
You can’t compare Beltran to Pujols. No, just no.
why are the reds gonna pick a fight and then kick their way out of it?
Contract year? He put up 32.2 WAR over the course of his contract. He played 142 games last season, this is a steal, and I’m not just saying that because I have an enormous bias towards Carlos.
Puljols might be one of the alltime greats, but Beltran’s his accolades speak for themselves and he’s acheived some things puljos never will…and I think you are missing the point of the original comment anyway.
Keenan said “6 WAR during the 2 year contract” meaning an average of 3 WAR per year. Beltran has met or exceeded that 8 times in his career. Basically, as long as he doesn’t get hurt, that Cardinal’s should stand a good chance of getting close to what they paid for which is a pretty good deal when compared to the majority of free agent signings.