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Houston Astros Continue Big Offseason By Signing Carlos Beltran

By Jason Evans

Oct 9, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Texas Rangers designated hitter Carlos Beltran drives in a run with a ground out in the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays during game three of the 2016 ALDS playoff baseball series at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Texas Rangers designated hitter Carlos Beltran drives in a run with a ground out in the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays during game three of the 2016 ALDS playoff baseball series at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Houston Astros continue to add to their lineup by signing OF/DH Carlos Beltran to a one-year deal.

Funny how things come full circle. Back in 2004, the Houston Astros viewed Carlos Beltran as a missing piece to a World Series club and swung a deadline deal for the outfielder. Fast forward 12 years and the club views him as a missing piece in a lineup for a pennant contender.

Houston fans were not happy that Beltran left after that season as a free agent to go to the New York Mets, and he hasn’t exactly gotten the warmest of welcomes when he returns to Houston. Well, who says you can’t go home again? Beltran will be going back to Houston.

Beltran played for the New York Yankees and Texas Rangers last season. He made his ninth All-Star team, hitting .295 with an .850 OPS, 29 homers and 93 RBI.

His signing with the Astros means two things. One, George Springer will be the Astros’ center fielder. Two, I expect them to add a big starter in some way, shape, or form. Take a look at what their lineup could be next year:

Springer CF

Alex Bregman 3B

Jose Altuve 2B

Carlos Correa SS

Beltran RF

Josh Reddick LF

Evan Gattis DH

Brian McCann C

Yulieski Gurriel 1B

That is one scary lineup. Does this move take them out of the Edwin Encarnacion sweepstakes? I’m not so sure. How comfortable are they with Gurriel at first? Secondly, Beltran’s deal is for one year, so that money will come off the books and they could put Encarnacion at DH and send Gattis into the outfield more. Maybe Gurriel learns the outfield?

Prospects like Jon Singleton and A.J. Reed have been disappointing, plus Reed could now be a trade chip for a top of the rotation starting pitcher (Hello Chris Sale or Chris Archer).

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The Astros certainly have some rotation questions. Can Charlie Morton actually stay healthy? Can Lance McCullers stay healthy? Is Collin McHugh crashing to earth? Which Dallas Keuchel is going to pitch in 2017? That lineup can certainly cure a lot of ills. It’s deep, has variety and is going to be a match-up nightmare for opposing managers.

Will the Houston Astros contend in 2017? Quite possibly. Will they be fun to watch next year? Most definitely.

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