Report: Astros pushing for reunion with Beltran
The Houston Astros, looking to make a splash this offseason, appear to have eyes on bringing back an old friend.
Houston is reportedly "hot" on the tail of free-agent designated hitter Carlos Beltran, who spent three memorable months with the team in 2004, according to Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News, citing sources.
What's unclear is whether Beltran is asking for a one- or two-year contract, Feinsand notes. That decision may come down to where the 39-year-old ultimately signs, as multiple teams remain interested in his services. The Texas Rangers - who employed Beltran for the final two months of 2016 - remain in the bidding, per Feinsand; earlier this week a report indicated the Boston Red Sox also had interest.
Though he played 69 games in right field last season, Beltran is likely a strict DH at this point. He likely wouldn't be an option for the Astros at first base, either, as he's played just five career innings at the position.
The Astros missed the playoffs in 2016 after earning a surprise wild-card berth the year prior, and are apparently looking to make a bold move to return to the playoffs. In addition to Beltran, the team has already been linked to free-agent slugger Edwin Encarnacion, as well as Detroit Tigers superstar Miguel Cabrera.
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Beltran spent three months with Houston during his remarkable 2004 season. He posted a .926 OPS over 90 games with the Astros, finishing the year with what was then only the 14th 30-homer, 40-stolen base season in history. He then re-wrote the record books that October, posting a .435/.536/1.022 line while tying a record for a single postseason with eight homers over two rounds before leaving in free agency.
Last year, Beltran hit .295/.337/.513 with 29 homers in 151 games split between the Rangers and New York Yankees.