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Astros Sign Carlos Beltran

By charliewilmoth | December 5, 2016 at 1:11pm CDT

DEC. 5: The Astros announced that Beltran has passed his physical, making the contract complete.

DEC. 3: The Astros have agreed to a one-year, $16MM deal with free agent DH Carlos Beltran, ESPN’s Buster Olney writes (Twitter links). Beltran is an MVP Sports Group client. Beltran will receive a no-trade clause, Bob Nightengale of USA Today tweets. Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News had previously tweeted that Beltran would sign today. Since Beltran was traded last season, the Yankees could not extend him a qualifying offer, and thus the Astros will not have to sacrifice a draft pick.

[RELATED: Updated Houston Astros Depth Chart]

Carlos BeltranThe Astros had repeatedly been connected to Beltran, and earlier this week it emerged that they were confident they could sign either Beltran or Edwin Encarnacion. The Red Sox, too, reportedly were very strongly interested in signing Beltran. The Yankees looked like a possibility as well, although Feinsand tweeted today that they were out of the running. Beltran agreeing to terms with Houston could pave the way for the Yankees to sign Encarnacion, though, as FOX Sports’ Jon Morosi tweets.

In Houston, Beltran will join a new-look Astros lineup that also now features catcher Brian McCann, left fielder Nori Aoki and right fielder Josh Reddick. Those three veterans will join a young core that includes Carlos Correa, Alex Bregman and George Springer, alongside top second baseman Jose Altuve.

Before the Beltran deal, Evan Gattis had been slated to fit in with the Astros at DH, and the Astros recently exercised their $5.2MM option on him. Gattis is coming off a strong season in which he hit .251/.319/.508 with 32 home runs. His exact role with the 2017 Astros is unclear, but he figures to catch sometimes (playing while McCann sits), while also sometimes playing corner outfield or DH’ing on days in which Beltran plays in the field.

Beltran turns 40 in April, but he showed no signs of slowing down last season, batting .295/.337/.513 with 29 homers for the Yankees and Rangers. That hitting line placed him among the game’s better designated hitters — the only ones who were markedly better were David Ortiz, Nelson Cruz and Encarnacion. The switch-hitting Beltran was particularly deadly against lefties, batting .338/.380/.589 with nine homers in 163 plate appearances, but he also hit righties well. Beltran no longer has the baserunning or defensive value he did as a young man, but his skills at the plate have aged remarkably well, as he’s topped an .800 OPS in five of the last six seasons.

Beltran now has 421 home runs in a career that stretches all the way back to 1998. In that span of nearly two decades, he’s played with both Astros manager A.J. Hinch (with the Royals in 2001 and 2002) and bench coach Alex Cora (with the Mets in 2009 and 2010). Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle tweets that Hinch and Cora’s familiarity with Beltran might have played a role in the Astros’ decision to acquire him. This will be Beltran’s second stint with the Astros — he hit .258/.368/.559 with 23 homers with them down the stretch in 2004.

MLBTR ranked Beltran the 33rd-best free agent available this offseason and predicted he would get a one-year, $14MM deal. The $16MM Beltran will receive next season is a slight raise on the $15MM per season he received on his previous three-year deal with the Yankees, and is the same as the amount Ortiz received in both 2015 and 2016.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

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Houston Astros Newsstand Transactions Carlos Beltran

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197 Comments

  1. James_07

    9 years ago

    The Astros might be a playoff team this year.

    Reply
    • matthewalan09

      9 years ago

      It’s possible but they still need starting pitching. Rangers will likely take the west again with Seattle right there too.

      Reply
      • 24TheKid

        9 years ago

        I wouldn’t give anything to the rangers, I have Astros in first, Seattle in 2nd and then the Rangers.

        Reply
        • gmflores27

          9 years ago

          Agree with 24

          Reply
        • yanksknicks

          9 years ago

          Astros getting offseason hype. That never bodes well for the season. I have rangers ahead unless houston cashes in some trade chips for an ace

          Reply
        • matthewalan09

          9 years ago

          Where would you have them if Texas signs EE? Not saying they will, but Texas should be very aggressive as they know the AL west just got more competitive with houston and seattles moves so far.

          I still like Hammels and Darvish anchoring the top. And Sale is still in play and will be interesting to see who goes all in on him.

          Reply
        • glassml

          9 years ago

          Stros have to figure out how to beat the Rangers first. Unfortunately Texas absolutely owned them last year.

          Reply
        • matthewalan09

          9 years ago

          Yes they did.

          Reply
        • Whyamihere

          9 years ago

          It would be surprising if they manage to do that again. Both teams are good teams, and you could argue that the Astros have more talented players than the Rangers. I would expect to see a much more even record next year.

          Reply
        • AvidAstrosFan

          9 years ago

          That is NO doubt. The Astros need to bring the silver boot to Houston this year to even think of winning an AL West. I really like Houston’s pitching but I hope Luhnow does more for the pitching staff… Prefer some long term solution to include our young pitching staff.

          Reply
        • AvidAstrosFan

          9 years ago

          I’m an Astros fan. The Astros haven’t done anything till they take the field. I hope they take the field and play the Rangers hard. Then bring the boot to H town.

          Reply
        • ccremer2

          9 years ago

          Look at what the DBacks did last offseason. Brought in millions of dollars in players through free agency and trade and how’d that work out. As much as the offseason helps to know what’s ahead nothing is certain and it’s a long 162 game season

          Reply
        • costergaard2

          9 years ago

          Just ask San Diego the year before that…

          Reply
        • gmflores27

          9 years ago

          But the difference is that Houston has the second best young core in baseball, while AZ and SD had no talent whatsoever

          Reply
        • ssowl

          9 years ago

          I’m sorry but Arizona had Goldschmidt, Pollack (who was injured), Corbin (injured), Segura, Peralta (injured), and Lamb. To say the the Dbacks are untalented is ignorant. They were just hurt and underperformed. The Padres comment is true.

          Reply
        • MatthewBaltimore23

          9 years ago

          I agree with 24TheKid. I think the Stros and Ms have been improving a lot and have been 2 of the most active teams. Astros added Reddick, McCann, Beltran. Mariners added Segura, Haniger, Rzepczynski. Rangers need to try to add pitching so they can keep the Houston and Seattle offenses down.

          Reply
        • davidcoonce74

          9 years ago

          Arizona also lost its best all-around player for the whole season and lost another of its starting outfielder for most of the year. Few teams can overcome that amount of injury.

          Reply
        • madmanTX

          9 years ago

          No way Astros finish ahead of Rangers. Astros don’t have the pitching and Beltran isn’t going to give you more than a DH

          Reply
        • gmflores27

          9 years ago

          Same with Texas IMO

          Reply
        • jdgoat

          9 years ago

          Texas overachieved last year. They were one of the luckiest teams in baseball history when it came to one run games and run differential.

          Reply
        • ilikethetexasrangers

          9 years ago

          What has Seattle possibly done to make you think that??? Gotten older?

          Reply
        • ilikethetexasrangers

          9 years ago

          I’d prefer signing Napoli, Carlos Gomez, and trading Profar + for a young starter

          Reply
        • ilikethetexasrangers

          9 years ago

          It’s called making the plays that need to be made in crunch time

          Reply
        • southi

          9 years ago

          It worked well for the Cubs last season didn’t it?

          Reply
        • Jason 46

          9 years ago

          Did you see the crap we had last year?
          As much as Texas got lucky, Houston got unlucky!! Had problems with Castro,Gomez,Rasmus, that couldn’t bat over .230 on the high end,
          Kuechel got a lil cocky from his CY young, and was a average pitcher at best, McCullers was dominate when healthy, first 45-50 games we were asleep, then you had Hinch putting two prospects in that weren’t ready!!
          Plus Bregman went 0-45, and 3-75 or something, and Gurriel was rushed to the bigs where he actually didn’t do to bad, and Bregman finally figured it out, and when Altuve struggled towards the end of the year before he got hurt, most fans didn’t even realize Altuve struggles with Bregman on fire!!
          I’d like Martes to come up, like McCullers, and produce, AJ Reeds struggles wasn’t the first time a top prospect to do so, so I hope he can get back on track, if he even gets a chance, I still think AJ Reed can turn it around, and be a slugging power hitting 1stbasemen!!

          Reply
        • texas2step

          9 years ago

          Texas can Have & Keep that ugly Silver Boot. We need the Pennant. As far as stats of this & that. You can throw all that JUNK out the window. Have we forgot the game is played on the field. Charlie Morton out of baseball a year just might of rested his arm up for an awesome return.
          Nobody knows until we see. Remember, the proof is in the pudding!

          Reply
        • AvidAstrosFan

          9 years ago

          That’s an ignorant statement about the silver boot. No the Rangers can’t keep the silver boot. The Astros need to take it from them. It’s a pride and self confidence thing. No BS, it needs to be a mission that Houston no longer lets the Rangers dominate them on the field. Rangers did it last year and years before because they had a stronger team. This year there are no excuses. If pitching stands pat we are close to the same and we are closed to the same with bats. No excuses this year.

          Reply
    • ryanw-2

      9 years ago

      They need to learn how to actually hit and need starting pitching. Beltran is old and this could become dead weight. The AL West is going to be an all out brawl.

      Reply
      • ripperlv

        9 years ago

        Agee, would like to see M’s get front-mid rotation guy. Looking forward to some good baseball

        Reply
        • ilikethetexasrangers

          9 years ago

          Losing walker hurt

          Reply
      • gmflores27

        9 years ago

        It’s only a one year deal and Angels will be nowhere near that brawl sorry fam

        Reply
        • HaloShane

          9 years ago

          Concur gmflores. The Angels we be the ring girl at best. I love training to fight, and I would not want one Angel in my corner.

          Reply
    • redsox for_life

      9 years ago

      Nice job DD!!! Miss on Morales now wt Beltran

      Reply
    • krillin

      9 years ago

      I read somewhere that Statistically the Rangers were one of the luckiest teams in baseball last year. I think it was something like they won the most extra inning games (because they played in the most) or something like that. Don’t quote me on that. But if that is true then I wouldn’t expect them to win the division again this year if they don’t improve.

      Reply
      • Priggs89

        9 years ago

        They absolutely were. I think at one point towards the end of the year, they actually had a negative run differential… They finished at +8. The two teams behind them, the Mariners and Astros, had run differentials of +61 and +23. That USUALLY is a good indicator of which teams are best during the regular season.

        Reply
        • krillin

          9 years ago

          Ah, I think that’s the stat I read. Thanks!

          Reply
        • siliconmessiah

          9 years ago

          FiveThirtyEight had an article about their success/luck in one run games. I would not be shocked if that luck is not there next season.

          fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-texas-rangers-are…

          Reply
      • ilikethetexasrangers

        9 years ago

        Yeah but it’s not luck. It’s the ability to make plays when you need it most

        Reply
        • jdgoat

          9 years ago

          That’s simply not true. Take off your Texas Rangers coloured glasses and you’d see that

          Reply
        • siliconmessiah

          9 years ago

          I’m not saying it’s entirely luck but to believe that level of winning one run games at that ratio is unrealistic.

          Reply
  2. Yankees2425

    9 years ago

    Wanted to Yankees to get him watch so we didn’t have to spend the money of EE.

    Reply
    • Yankees2425

      9 years ago

      damn I butchered that statement

      Reply
      • Yankee4Life27

        9 years ago

        It’s cool Bro. I wanted him back with the Yankees as well… I would take Napoli, can’t stand Encarnacion.

        Reply
        • B-Strong

          9 years ago

          Hopefully you guys take Napoli so the Sox are forced to do something else

          Reply
        • driftcat28 2

          9 years ago

          Agreed. Wanted a Beltran signing more than anyone else besides Chapman. Really hope this doesn’t mean EE gets signed.

          Reply
  3. MB923

    9 years ago

    Wow. Thought they’d be getting EE for sure.

    Reply
  4. depressedtribefan

    9 years ago

    does anyone know if there’s a link to the top 50 FA picks leader board yet?

    Reply
    • raltongo 3

      9 years ago

      no, but I’m pretty sure you’re not in last place…I’ve only gotten 1 correct so far, this Beltran-to-Astros pick…Every year we do this I get progressively worse, haha

      Reply
      • depressedtribefan

        9 years ago

        Just like Chris Carter’s baa…Hang in there lol

        Reply
  5. mvpetro

    9 years ago

    Thank you. As good as he was, didn’t want him to go back to Yankees

    Reply
  6. ullnvrknw

    9 years ago

    Yankees should concentrate on Carter. Save all the money for harper, macado and a sp next season. They are going no where this year.

    Reply
    • Yankees2425

      9 years ago

      That’s not particularly true.

      Reply
    • Michael Macaulay-Birks

      9 years ago

      Machado and Harper are free agents in 2019

      Reply
      • redsox for_life

        9 years ago

        Marchado!!

        Reply
    • theruns

      9 years ago

      lol…

      “We’ll just sign Harpa, Macado and a SP”

      You gotta love it…

      Reply
  7. sbrown285

    9 years ago

    I’m batting 1.000 so far on these predictions

    Reply
    • depressedtribefan

      9 years ago

      I think I’m batting lower than Chris Carter’s baa

      Reply
      • ullnvrknw

        9 years ago

        Carter will rise to the occasion and become the new age reggie Jackson for the yanks

        Reply
    • Brixton

      9 years ago

      How do you check your answers

      Reply
  8. Brixton

    9 years ago

    The Astros are a TOR starter from being the best team in the AL.

    Reply
    • ilikethetexasrangers

      9 years ago

      Yeah but the cost of Springer + Bregman + Martes would ruin their future. I’d love them to go after Sale

      Reply
      • Priggs89

        9 years ago

        They could make it work without both Springer AND Bregman.

        Reply
  9. padam

    9 years ago

    That’s one hell of a lineup. Add a top 1 or 2 pitcher and…

    Reply
  10. ullnvrknw

    9 years ago

    Trust me. I wanted beltran to resign with the yanks just for the sole purpose of them not over spending on encarnacion. We do not need to pay another player past his prime. Carter will come on the cheap.

    Reply
    • Yankees2425

      9 years ago

      I do not want Carter’s strikeouts at all

      Reply
  11. pat09

    9 years ago

    Thought the red sox would get Beltran for sure

    Reply
  12. Sokane

    9 years ago

    Assuming some rebound from a couple of their SP… and maybe adding one more solid ToR type arm, Astros will be fun to watch this year

    Reply
  13. ImDaBaron

    9 years ago

    Great now give us Bregman + for Sale and they’ll be right on track

    Reply
    • gmflores27

      9 years ago

      That’s an overpay Bregman>Sale

      Reply
      • Priggs89

        9 years ago

        lol ok

        Reply
  14. IACub

    9 years ago

    What happened to the roster resource links in the articles?

    Reply
  15. Kholla

    9 years ago

    Where do all these guys fit? Additions of Mccan, Reddick, and now Beltran.

    Reply
    • Brixton

      9 years ago

      Reddick/Springer and Gattis/Aoki platoon,
      Beltran DHs
      McCann catches

      Reply
      • Sokane

        9 years ago

        I find it hard to believe they paid Reddick all the money to platoon. I think he’s your regular RF… and likely Springer in CF. Aoki/Hernandez/Marisnick type platoon in LF.

        Odd man out seems to be Gattis. Not sure if he just becomes a big bench bat or where he fits.

        Reply
      • devo3366

        9 years ago

        You’re crazy. No way Springer platoons. He is everyday CF. Reddick/Aoki in RF. Beltran/Aoki in LF. Depends on handedness of the SP

        Reply
        • Travis’ Wood

          9 years ago

          Ya, platooning Springer is one of the dumber comments I’ve seen haha he’s one of the best young players in baseball

          Reply
        • Brixton

          9 years ago

          Reddick plays RF, Springer in CF, and Gattis/Aoki platoons in LF. I should have been more clear. I would never suggest to platoon a player like Springer, my apologies.

          Reply
    • stroboy15

      9 years ago

      1. Springer CF
      2. Beltran LF
      3. Altuve 2B
      4. Correa SS
      5. Bregman 3B
      6. Reddick RF
      7. Gattis DH
      8. McCann C
      9. Gurriel 1B

      If Gattis could play 1st base that would be so helpful

      Reply
      • Travis’ Wood

        9 years ago

        Nah, Gurriel is most likely better than Gattis

        Reply
  16. yanks02026

    9 years ago

    Yankees sign EE now please.

    Reply
    • TBJ12

      9 years ago

      I get the feeling EE is headed back to Toronto after this signing.

      Reply
      • ilikethetexasrangers

        9 years ago

        #NapoliToTexasTho

        Reply
  17. gmflores27

    9 years ago

    Astros will have best offense in AL

    Reply
    • davbee

      9 years ago

      They won’t even have the best offense in the division with the Mariners adding Segura.

      Reply
      • gmflores27

        9 years ago

        No

        Reply
        • Nick4747

          9 years ago

          There’s alot of question marks on that offense still health of Reddick? Who’s on third/ first? I think a team in Boston might have something to say about best offense in al. Still a great offense top 2-3 but still plenty of off-season the Rangers could make moves. ( 2 of the best hitters are still available)

          Reply
  18. jeff51488

    9 years ago

    Wonder what pitcher we’ll get now. We must get another starter.

    Reply
  19. mantle

    9 years ago

    We were lucky to have him in NY for as long as we had him. He was a special player for the Mets ( except for that third called strike ) he had a great influence on the young guys this year with the Yankees and exceeded expectations !!
    I truly enjoyed watching him hit all these years. Wish him nothing but the best in Houston!! A future HOF er in my opinion !!

    Reply
    • peterdrgn

      9 years ago

      i agree..i wish him well

      Reply
  20. driftcat28 2

    9 years ago

    Hoping the Yanks stick to the plan and go after Napoli or Carter or Holliday. Say no to EE, too old and too much. no need to pay for his would be declining years.

    Reply
  21. slider32

    9 years ago

    I think the Astros are one good pitcher away from being the front runner in the AL next year.

    Reply
    • atlbarves420

      9 years ago

      You mean like they one they traded to the Phillies for Ken Giles?

      Reply
      • Brixton

        9 years ago

        and Ken GIles was a really good reliever if you look pasted ERA last year

        Reply
        • atlbarves420

          9 years ago

          Yeah you’re right, it was an excellent trade. Good, young starters are a dime a dozen I can see why the Astros did that.

          Reply
        • Brixton

          9 years ago

          Because Velasquez is all that good? Hes never thrown a full MLB season, let alone a good MLB season. His fastball is flat and he doesn’t have a good offspeed pitch. Trading him for Giles wasn’t exactly a bad move. Appel/Obie/Eshelman and Arauz hasn’t done anything good at all

          Reply
      • dejota

        9 years ago

        Vince will go the route of Cosart. He already started to later in the year and he’said hurt every year at some point. So no, nothing like the pitcher we traded for Giles.

        Reply
  22. jimttu

    9 years ago

    Why wouldn’t the NYY fans want EE

    Reply
    • koz16

      9 years ago

      Because we’re tired of seeing mid-30’s players signed to giant, long term contracts that usually provide 1 or 2 years of production and then 3-4 years of general suckitude.

      Reply
    • Yankees2425

      9 years ago

      Age and money.

      Reply
    • Gashouse Gorilla

      9 years ago

      Loss of draft pick and would tie up money. I think most Yanks fans are comfortable with 1-2 down years while they clean house for the youth movement.

      Reply
    • phillies012tg

      9 years ago

      Yankees are finally getting bad money off the books. They don’t want to be in this situation in four years when EE is up in age and possibly declining.

      Reply
  23. atlbarves420

    9 years ago

    Two years ago this was a young team on the rise. Then last season they trade Velasquez for Giles and missed the playoffs. Now they’re stocking up on old trash and are on their way to being the perpetually below-average team we’ve all come to laugh at. It’s official, the Astros’ flash-in-the-pan run is dead.

    They’ll lose 90 games next year, guaranteed.

    Reply
    • jeff51488

      9 years ago

      lol says a Braves fan. Yall will lose 100 games next year. Guaranteed.

      Reply
    • Bob Smiley

      9 years ago

      you are comical. Trash? beltran is production. the Astros are on the right path. the hiccup last year was SP….might be again this year but they are not a below avg team. As a braves fan you must remember all the years they played your beloved braves…win or lose, they were in the playoff hunt and will be again for the next 5 years.

      Reply
    • chandlere

      9 years ago

      don’t feed the trash troll

      Reply
    • peterdrgn

      9 years ago

      lmao..now i know what the 420 stands for..u been smoking 2 much

      Reply
    • Priggs89

      9 years ago

      Someone is feisty today. Maybe the Braves can trade Markaikas straight up for Sale and win 70 games this year.

      Reply
  24. Bald Vinny

    9 years ago

    I’m assuming NY wouldn’t give a no-trade.

    Reply
  25. painterman360

    9 years ago

    Seattle has a great Offense!!

    Reply
  26. Priggs89

    9 years ago

    A Chris Sale trade makes way too much sense.

    Reply
    • jeff51488

      9 years ago

      I agree. But hopefully without giving up Bregman or Springer.

      Reply
      • coldgoldenfalstaff

        9 years ago

        That won’t happen anymore, Encarnacion was key for that, now they move either and create a hole.

        Glad we have Beltran back, but I’m a bit disappointed not to land Encarnacion, due to Beltran being a one year stopgap rather than multi-year mid-lineup force, and the possibility of a Sale trade.

        Reply
  27. DeadliestCatch

    9 years ago

    Why arent the astros considering Gattis for 1B? They have a need at 1B. Beltran DH. Gattis 1st. McCann Catcher.

    Reply
    • Brixton

      9 years ago

      They just threw a bunch of money at Gurriel to play 1B

      Reply
      • jkwdbu

        9 years ago

        That isn’t true. They through a lot of money at him to play 3B, but then we found the Bregman problem.

        Reply
        • Brixton

          9 years ago

          Which prompt them to move him to 1B, which is where he probably should be. They can always try to trade Gattis for pitching

          Reply
    • davidcoonce74

      9 years ago

      Because Gattis’ offense is woefully inadequate for an AL 1B?

      Reply
  28. atlbarves420

    9 years ago

    I love how all the Astros fans on here are saying “we’re just one starting pitcher away!” when they traded that pitcher for a very overrated Ken Giles. The front office is blowing this! But what do you expect from a front office that can’t even rebuild the club without getting hacked? They got hacked by a real organization that actually wins World Series’.

    Josh Reddick? Seriously? Brian McCann??? And now fossil Carlos Beltran. How does Beltran even know if he’ll like it in Houston? He’s never even played for the Astros before.

    Sorry, folks but this is a bad team.

    Reply
    • AddisonStreet

      9 years ago

      3/10. Suggest going back to the troll academy.

      Reply
    • lancem00

      9 years ago

      Mccain is a better hitter than Castro. Reddick can platoon. And Beltran played for Houston in 2004. Plus, Beltran hit around .294 last year so he is still a good hitter. Obvious trolling is obvious..

      Reply
    • tmengd 2

      9 years ago

      Beltran was the most successful player the Astros playoff history? What do you mean he has never played for the Astros? Educate yourself before commenting please. Your comment failed the second I read that.he and his wife on numerous occasions have said they loved Houston.

      Reply
    • davidcoonce74

      9 years ago

      Beltran has never played for Houston? That’s a weird thing to write because it isn’t true.

      Reply
    • Sid Bream

      9 years ago

      Anyone that posts up a user name of “ATLBARVES” and calls themself a Braves fan is obviously not a Braves fan, and having McCann, Beltran, Gurriel, Altuve, Springer, Gattis, is a pretty good offense to start with.

      Reply
      • RyanR

        9 years ago

        He has when they were an NL team.

        Reply
    • thewizardofahhs

      9 years ago

      If some MLB players can even remember the pitch sequence of an at-bat 25 years ago, (sports.yahoo.com/news/opening-25-year-old-baseball…), I’d be willing to bet the vast majority of mlb players can remember a post season when they hit 455/.500/1.091 4 HRs in the NLDS and .417/.563/.958 4 HRs in the NLCS (beyondtheboxscore.com/2008/10/13/634453/reminder-c…). I’m pretty confident Carlos remembers HOU and I even bet HOU remembers him.

      Reply
  29. DL0806

    9 years ago

    I hope this is more him wanting to go to Houston than it was the Red Sox not matching that offer. I was hoping the Sox were going to get him, he’d be a good fit. Now I’m dreading they sign Napoli

    Reply
  30. matthewalan09

    9 years ago

    Having Bregman for a full year will be big too. I just cannot get passed their rotation. Nice bullpen though.

    Reply
  31. bobtillman

    9 years ago

    Gotta like it. Good bridge to the future. They need pitching, but who doesn’t…….

    And yes, the Rangers WERE the luckiest team in MLB last year. Run Differential isn’t an absolute, but it’s generally usefull. And has a way of reversing itself the following year.

    If Texas gets Sale (I can see it), gonna be a heck of a division to watch…and don’t sleep on Seattle. Could be more fun than AL East.

    Reply
    • peterdrgn

      9 years ago

      yup,AL west looking tuff..the rangers have 2 aces that are both healthy now if they stay that way and they fill 1st base they will be tuff

      Reply
    • AddisonStreet

      9 years ago

      The Cubs don’t.

      Reply
  32. Aaron Sapoznik

    9 years ago

    The Astros are looking solid offensively for 2017. They now need to improve their pitching staff and have more depth in order to trade for an impact starter like Chris Sale, Chris Archer or Sonny Gray. Of course, each of those pitchers teams would be looking for good young MLB talent and/or top rated prospects in return and not older short term veterans.

    Reply
  33. Ken M.

    9 years ago

    Beltran and McCann? Gonna be slow on them base paths.

    Reply
    • stroboy15

      9 years ago

      We have plenty of speed….Altuve Springer Correa Bregman Aoki Reddick….

      Reply
  34. groundruledouble

    9 years ago

    Really would’ve like to see Beltran back with the Yankees. I hope they go for Napoli and not EE I would even prefer Carter than EE

    Reply
    • Aaron Sapoznik

      9 years ago

      Are you nuts? Why would anybody prefer Mike Napoli or Chris Carter over Edwin Encarnacion, especially a Yankee fan who has seen plenty of the former and latter throughout their playing careers with A.L. East rivals.

      Reply
      • driftcat28 2

        9 years ago

        As someone above said, “Age and money”

        Reply
        • Aaron Sapoznik

          9 years ago

          Encarnacion just finished his age 33 season and has virtually matched or exceeded his career triple slash numbers in each of the last 5 years. Whatever salary he commands over the next 4 years or so he figures to earn, especially when he will either DH or play 1B.

          In the meantime, 35-year old Mike Napoli, who is coming off a nice season with the Indians still has numbers that pale in comparison to Encarnacion, be it in 2016 or anytime since 2011.

          Chris Carter’s numbers are not even worth discussing.

          Btw-Carlos Beltran, the preference of many Yankee fans, will play next season at age 40 for the Astros. He remains productive, more so than Napoli or Carter. Encarnacion should be at least as productive as Beltran was and is 6 years younger. In addition, the Yankees would be taking a primary force away from a division rival in Toronto that is still very much in the running for his services, not to mention the Red Sox who also continue to show interest in the slugger as a replacement for David Ortiz.

          George Steinbrenner must be turning in his grave with this new breed of Yankee fans who are suddenly worried about how much money they spend, especially on an almost sure bet like Encarnacion.

          Reply
        • peterdrgn

          9 years ago

          I would take double E in a Ranger uniform in a heart beat!

          Reply
      • ilikethetexasrangers

        9 years ago

        Because Napoli would probably take 2 years/25 million. Encarnacion won’t take less than 4 years with like 18 mil per year

        Reply
  35. jb19

    9 years ago

    I’ve booed this guy for the last 10 years but glad we signed him. Astros SPs should be fine. No need to give up springer or Bregman for sale. Just need to pitch to their potential. Former cy young, McCullers, McHugh, Musgrove and Fiers/Morton/Paulino/martes. Should be able too score enough runs for an above average bullpen to win. Beat the Rangers!

    Reply
    • Priggs89

      9 years ago

      “Just need to pitch to their potential”

      That’s a huge ask for everyone to pitch to their potential.

      Reply
      • matthewalan09

        9 years ago

        That comment made me laugh too. That never happens. What is more practical is asking their SPs to stay healthy. Cubs did that last year and was a big reason they won 103 games.

        Reply
        • jb19

          9 years ago

          Pitch to their potential or stay healthy should be enough to win with the lineup. I don’t see that as a big ask. My hope would be Kuechel and McCullers get 30 starts in apiece, that may be a big ask. Getting 162 games from 9 SPs may actually be a stretch, so include Devinski and Peacock. My point is that the starters on the roster should be enough to win the West, getting deep into the playoffs would include Kuechel and McCullers pitching to their potential.

          Reply
      • gmflores27

        9 years ago

        It’s a starter group with plenty of upside

        Reply
  36. jpagel27

    9 years ago

    How would rangers win west your joking right

    Reply
    • peterdrgn

      9 years ago

      just like they did last year!

      Reply
  37. matthewalan09

    9 years ago

    Imagine if the Astros hit in the draft instead of huge misses with Appel then Aiken

    Reply
    • gmflores27

      9 years ago

      Aiken led to Bregman

      Reply
  38. guille

    9 years ago

    I don’t necessarily se an ‘odd man out’ situation here. As the Cubs just shown, it pays to have multiple moving parts you can plug here and there. I don’t think they can play Springer in CF everyday though, so they need to get one. Dyson would make a lot of sense here since he can cover more ground than anybody.

    Reply
  39. matthewalan09

    9 years ago

    Who’s their LFer?

    Reply
    • Brixton

      9 years ago

      Aoki

      Reply
    • The Oregonian

      9 years ago

      Aoki, Gattis, and Beltran should see most of the time out there, I’d think.

      Reply
  40. gorav114

    9 years ago

    If the pitching can rebound this team could easily be a playoff team.

    Reply
    • Priggs89

      9 years ago

      Absolutely. And if they can add an ace, I think they’re a legit contender.

      Reply
      • peterdrgn

        9 years ago

        if the rangers trade 4 Archer or Gray or maybe even sale! there looks like a lot of astro fans will see another season with a bunch of Ranger aswhoopens!

        Reply
  41. atlbarves420

    9 years ago

    I love how all the Astros fans on here are saying “we’re just one starting pitcher away!” when they traded that pitcher for a very overrated Ken Giles. The front office is messing this up! But what do you expect from a front office that can’t even rebuild the club without getting hacked? They got hacked by a real organization that actually wins World Series’.

    Josh Reddick? Seriously? Brian McCann??? And now fossil Carlos Beltran. How does Beltran even know if he’ll like it in Houston? He’s never even played for the Astros before.

    Sorry, folks but this is a bad team.

    Reply
    • whittyboy

      9 years ago

      This has to be satire, there’s just no way

      Reply
      • Brixton

        9 years ago

        I thought he was just uneducated, now I think hes trolling. Beltran has played for the Astros before.

        Reply
    • jkwdbu

      9 years ago

      hater much?

      Reply
    • dejota

      9 years ago

      If you’re trolling whatever. If you’re not you must be mad about the return the Phil’s got. Look more closely, everyone, including Vv, stalled out last year.

      Reply
    • peterdrgn

      9 years ago

      roll another 420…wrong again beltran played 4 Houston

      Reply
    • J. BOO

      9 years ago

      If only the Astros rotation were led by Colon and Dickey, then a WS title could be claimed on December 3rd! Also, wasn’t it Beltran that helped the Astros eliminate the Braves in ’04?

      Reply
    • gmflores27

      9 years ago

      LOL barves? 420?

      Reply
  42. 66TheNumberOfTheBest

    9 years ago

    This ruins my yearly fantasy baseball strategy of taking Evan Gattis and waiting for him to gain C eligibility.

    1
    Reply
  43. matthewalan09

    9 years ago

    Per Rosenthal. Rangers and Astros out on Sale at the current asking price. Nats still in. Good news for Houston that Texas is out

    Reply
    • whittyboy

      9 years ago

      That is only true if the White Sox don’t budge on the asking price, it may just be bait. If the talks with the nationals and Sox stall, then the Sox will be forced to lower their asking price, or keep Sale. Keeping Sale would be a very bad move.

      Reply
      • Aaron Sapoznik

        9 years ago

        Yeah, being forced to keep a 28-year old ace pitcher with 3 more years of team-friendly control would be disastrous to the White Sox. lol

        Btw-Don’t believe everything you read and also keep in mind that the Nats are hardly the only team in baseball with any interest in the “Condor”.

        Reply
        • chesteraarthur

          9 years ago

          well they are bad and have shown that they aren’t going to the playoffs even with him pitching well, so it doesn’t make a ton of sense to keep him.

          Reply
    • Gashouse Gorilla

      9 years ago

      It’ll be the Red Sox. Just can’t see them passing on a top-5 SP to go with a top-5 offense for the next 3 years. This is the time you back up the farm system truck and empty it on the White Sox. You don’t get chances like this very often.

      Reply
  44. whittyboy

    9 years ago

    I still wouldn’t rule Encarnacion out for the Astros. I believe they will still be involved with Encarnacion, but likely won’t be as aggressive. They still need a 1st baseman, and i personally don’t like Gurriel taking that position. However, i see Encarnacion going back to Toronto

    Reply
    • Matt Galvin

      9 years ago

      The Winter Meetings should of started today then MLB Network would be covering this move right know.
      AJ Reed,White can play 1B and also has Moran to play 3B. Could sign Rich Hill or so on orveven one of top Closers on the market.

      Reply
  45. neurogame

    9 years ago

    I like how a 1 million dollar per year increase is considered a “slight pay raise” in sports. When I disclosed earning a college degree in an interview, my new job took their baseline hourly wage and added 25 cents to it.

    Reply
    • davidcoonce74

      9 years ago

      You’re probably not one of the best 800 people at your job on earth. And I doubt people pay 50 bucks a day to watch you work. There’s no shame in that. Supply and demand.

      Reply
  46. GarryHarris

    9 years ago

    Before I predict, I need to see what these teams all look like April 2, 2017. There’s too many trade possibilities….

    Reply
  47. matthewalan09

    9 years ago

    The white sox have no sense of urgency in trading Sale. The teams in on him now will be in at the trade deadline, as they all project as contenders. Problem is you’re less inclined to add an every day player like bregman, turner, or mazzara that late in the season. You may end up with a better prospect package though. Also, Haven’t heard much about Quintana lately. He’s a stud and a legit 2 for most of these teams.

    Reply
  48. crazysull

    9 years ago

    Could this mean Gattis to Boston for someone like Pomerantz

    I say Red Sox trade Pmerantz because who knows If he can repeat his success so trade him now while he has value. Pomerantz can be replaced by Bucholtz or Owens or my favorite 2 choices Brian Johnson or Michael Kopech. The Astros have no place for Gattis now and even with Beltran being on a one year deal they still have the prospects to replace both Gattis and Beltran after this season.

    Does this make sense to everyone or is it just me.

    Reply
    • tigers1968

      9 years ago

      does not make any sense. You do not give up a quality pitcher for Gattis. typical Astros. Two catchers that can not catch. 3 DH.. No one with 1B experience.

      Reply
      • crazysull

        9 years ago

        I want call Pomerantz a quality pitcher yet. Last year could have been a complete fluke and he is trash this upcoming season. Gattis has the raw power the Red Sox are looking for in someone to replace Ortiz, maybe they don’t give them Pomerantz but the Red Sox would be smart to ask the Astros about Gattis

        Reply
    • ohshititsviper

      9 years ago

      I hope not on Pomeranz for Gattis. Pomeranz always seems to come up small in big situations. Seems soft too. Gattis is a productive offensive contributor at C that is cheap and controllable during his prime at a weak offensive position.

      Reply
  49. mattblaze13

    9 years ago

    I seriously thought he was going to be a Yankee again after seeing him at dellin betances’s wedding last week. It’s like when LeBron went to Carmelo’s wedding in Connecticut in 2010 and then didn’t sign with the Knicks. Even Robby cano was at betances’ wedding

    Reply
  50. rnyrican88

    9 years ago

    Nice move. Holliday to yanks

    Reply
    • jrbw

      9 years ago

      Where did you read this, please?

      Reply
      • jrbw

        9 years ago

        You must have meant nice for Beltran and then nice for Holliday if he goes to the yanks. Got it.

        Reply
  51. andrewgauldin

    9 years ago

    Let’s go Halos….

    Reply
    • peterdrgn

      9 years ago

      Halos….lmao…

      Reply
  52. alproof

    9 years ago

    Morosi

    Reply
  53. Orbit

    9 years ago

    What’s crazy is that Houston finished with 84 wins and was in the WC race with a week in the season to go. Tells me I’m not THAT worried about the pitching if they’re unable to land a SP. This is same starting pitching staff and a little youth plus 5-6 black holes in the lineup.

    Reply
    • tmengd 2

      9 years ago

      Plus Kuechal and Mcullers were both out all of Sept.

      Reply
    • stros1fan

      9 years ago

      A little youth? What do you call Correa, Springer, Altuve and Bregman? What about McCullers, Giles and Devenski? Did they get rid of A.J. Reed, Tyler White and Teoscar Hernandez? Don’t post if you don’t know the team.

      Reply
  54. Perfidio123

    9 years ago

    What happened with the anticipated love affair withEe and Astros?

    Reply
    • myopinionforwhatitsworth

      9 years ago

      I think that’s pretty obvious. Smaller committment (both money and years) and no draft pick attached to the signing.

      Reply
  55. pickandersen

    9 years ago

    Dang. Maybe that means EE in Boston though!

    Reply
  56. myopinionforwhatitsworth

    9 years ago

    It will be interesting to see what this does for Encarnacion’s market. Do the Yankess meet his asking price, or is he forced to come back to the Blue Jays, hat in hand, accepting their reported 4yr/$80MM offer?

    Reply
  57. luhnowsucks

    9 years ago

    Pressure is on now if it wasn’t already its hot now

    Reply
  58. IloveMACfootball

    9 years ago

    Will he still get boo’d by their redneck fans?

    Reply
    • Astros44

      9 years ago

      Be quiet you rusty hinge

      Reply
  59. jordanjee

    9 years ago

    This is a cool move for HOU and their fanbase. I would be pumped to have a player of his caliber and history with the team return to the lineup. Cool move for baseball too. Houston could be real scary next year.

    Reply

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