Baseball News - Beltran coming to New York; signs with Mets




It is not often George Steinbrunner is outbid. Hell, it is not often George Steinbrunner is outbid... by the Yankees' crosstown rivals, the New York Mets! However, in Carlos Beltran's case, that's what happened here. Carlos Beltran is joining the New York Mets.

After a relentless pursuit of Carlos Beltran by the Chicago Cubs, New York Yankees, and Houston Astros, the New York Mets shocked pretty much everyone swooping in practically stealing Beltran from the Astros and signing the All-Star CF to an astounding 7-year, $119 million dollar deal. He will make something in the neighbourhood of $17 million a season. The signing of Beltran comes weeks after the Mets signed ace Pedro Martinez to a lucrative contract, as they are stockpiling on talent, hoping for a better finish than 3rd in the NL East this season. Beltran came to the Astros in a 3-team deal in early-June, where he hit .258 with with 23 homers, 53 ribbees, and 23 stolen bases in 90 games, but the most impressive stat of all, he was never caught stealing a base when he joined the Astros. He was 28-for-28 in base stealing with Houston in 2004. Where Beltran really hit it off, though, was during the postseason for Houston, where he exploded for a .435 BA, with 8 HR, 14 RBI, and 3 SB. Overall, Beltran hit .278 with 34 HR, 104 RBI, and 42 SB, with only 3 CS. On top of that, he posted a fielding percentage of .979 between both KC and Houston. In his 7-year career, the 27-year old Beltran has compiled a .284 BA, with 146 homers, 569 RBI, and 192 SB with just 23 CS. He joins his 3rd Major League team. Beltran is expected to start in CF for the Mets, overtaking Mike Cameron, who is expected to move to RF, replacing the departed Richard Hidalgo, or even LF, if Cliff Floyd is moved.

All signs say the Mets mean business this year, and by that, we actually mean business. However, will more spending equal more wins, more production, and more talent for the Mets? Perhaps, one can only hope, at least if you're a Mets fan.




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