Cincinnati Reds Interested In Carlos Beltran

Oct 27, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals right fielder Carlos Beltran hits a RBI single against the Boston Red Sox in the third inning during game four of the MLB baseball World Series at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: H.Darr Beiser-USA TODAY Sports

The rumors swirled yesterday as it was revealed that the Cincinnati Reds are interested in former St. Louis outfield Carlos Beltran. Cincinnati has not made many moves this off season, signing Skip Schumacher has been their biggest move. Getting Beltran though would be a huge grab for the Reds.

Signing Beltran would negate the need for Choo again, although a Bruce, Choo, Beltran outfield would be incredible that likely won’t happen. A Bruce, Billy Hamilton, Beltran outfield is more likely. If the Reds trade second baseman Brandon Phillips then things could get very interesting with Hamilton moving to second.

Beltran spent the last two seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals hitting .289 last season with a .339 on base percentage. Those are much needed numbers for the Reds lineup which we all know struggled at times last season.

Besides his bat Beltran also brings a vast amount of experience. At 36 he is a little older than people would like in a star outfielder but what he lacks in youth he makes up in experience. Back to back deep runs in the post season with the Cardinals shows he knows what it takes to make a run.

Cincinnati is one of many teams gunning for Beltran, the New York Yankees have supposedly made Beltran their number one target, so the question comes down to can the Reds afford him? Walt Jocketty plays things close to the chest so it’s hard to tell.