Report: Red Sox Making 'Aggressive Push' For Carlos Beltran
BOSTON (CBS) - The hot stove is already heating up for the Boston Red Sox.
According to multiple reports, the Red Sox are making a push for free agent outfielder Carlos Beltran. The New York Post terms their pursuit of Beltran as an "aggressive push" while the Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo Tweets the team has expressed interest, but it's not aggressive at this point.
The 37-year-old Beltran is an intriguing free agent after putting up solid numbers for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2013. He hit .296 with 24 homers and 84 RBIs in the regular season, driving in 15 runs in 17 postseason games. He went 5-for-17 against Boston in the World Series, and famously robbed David Ortiz of a grand slam in Game 1.
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Beltran is a career .333 hitter with 16 home runs and 40 RBIs in 51 career playoff games.
But the Red Sox are not the only team in the AL East showing interest in Beltran, with both the Yankees and Orioles also reportedly looking to sign the veteran outfielder. So signing the slugger wouldn't just provide Boston with another big bat in the lineup, but keep him away from division rivals.
The Cardinals gave Beltran a $14.1 million qualifying offer last week, meaning any team that signs him will have to forfeit a draft pick to St. Louis in return.
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In 16 major league seasons with the Royals, Astros, Mets, Giants and Cardinals, Beltran is a career .283 hitter with 358 home runs and 1,327 RBIs.
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