Kansas City Royals: Could Carlos Beltran return in 2017?

By Tim Haberin | Apr 24, 2016

Apr 15, 2016; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Carlos Beltran reacts after popping out in the third inning against the Seattle Mariners at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports /

The Kansas City Royals could reportedly bring Carlos Beltran back into the fold next season to finish his career where it began.

When Carlos Beltran signed a three-year deal with the New York Yankees in December 2013, conventional wisdom said it would more than likely be his final major league contract. After all, he turned 39 years old today in the final season of the pact.

The veteran outfielder has his sights set on continuing his career in 2017, however, and according to FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal, he could return to where it all started. The Kansas City Royals, the club with which Beltran made his MLB debut in 1998 and won the Rookie of the Year Award the following season, might be a potential landing spot next winter.

A couple years ago, most fans probably wondered whether Beltran would even see the end of his Yankees tenure. In his first year with the Bronx Bombers, he played only 109 games and posted a .703 OPS, his lowest since 2000. Only a few months after leading the St. Louis Cardinals in a postseason run, the eight-time All-Star looked absolutely cooked.

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Though some fans might still attribute an “over-the-hill” reputation to Beltran due to his age, they haven’t been paying attention lately. The outfielder has largely been the Yankees’ best hitter this season. That might seem like hollow praise in light of the team’s offensive woes, but Beltran’s early numbers are nothing to sneeze at: .279/.297/.525, four home runs and nine RBIs in 64 plate appearances.

Beltran has arguably been the Yanks’ most consistent bat stretching back to last year as well. From May onwards in the 2015 regular season, he slashed .295/.357/.505 with 19 homers and 60 RBIs. Don’t call it a comeback, but Beltran has proven that he is certainly not running on an empty tank just yet.

Those who have watched him this year also know that Beltran’s rejuvenation has affected more than just his performance at the plate. Though he’s certainly not a Gold Glove fielder anymore, he looks a bit more capable out in right field. He’s also running much better on the base paths, beating out a couple ground balls that he never would have come close on during the past two seasons.

The Royals pursued Beltran the last time he was on the market, but the Yankees’ guarantee of a third year reportedly sealed the deal. Rosenthal points out that Kansas City’s current designated hitter, Kendrys Morales, is also a free agent after this season, meaning Beltran could easily slide into his spot.

Morales revived his own career last year with an .847 OPS, 22 home runs and 106 RBIs for the Royals. He has somewhat struggled to get it going this season, though, managing a .724 OPS with two homers and eight RBIs over 69 plate appearances. If Beltran finishes the campaign in more impressive fashion than Morales, Kansas City could decide to make the switch.

Of course, there is also the sentimental logic to a Beltran/Royals reunion. Next season would be Beltran’s 20th as a major leaguer, a good, long career that some argue is Hall of Fame worthy. Returning to Kansas City would bring him full circle, and assuming the Royals remain among the AL’s best clubs, he could even have a shot at one honor that has eluded him throughout his lifetime in baseball: a World Series title.

Next: Are White Sox for real?

What do you think? Should the Royals bring Beltran back for one last go-around? Sound off in the comment section below.

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