Houston Astros: Carlos Beltran, A 2017 World Series Lineup Addition?

How serious are the Houston Astros about making 2017 their year to capture a World Series title?

So serious that they added 39 year old Carlos Beltran on Saturday as one of their top free agent pick-ups this off season.

Before you go lamenting the fact that he is 39 and over the hill, just keep reading.

You may find yourself singing a different tune.

Most ballplayers of Beltran’s age are washed up at the major league level but not a guy like him.

Consider the following and then compare it to what Houston has received from its designated hitters over the last five seasons.

In 2016, with both the New York Yankees/Texas Rangers, the well-traveled hitter popped 29 home runs and drove in 93 ribbies. Over the course of that same span, he is averaging nearly 24 home runs a season and 78 RBI’s.

The nine time All-Star has hit .276 on the strength of a 140 hits per season average since 2012.

The former rookie of the year has proven that he is durable and productive.

I’ll take that ahead of what we have suffered through at Minute Maid Park from our designated hitters.

The addition of Beltran provides Houston a lot of flexibility as well. He now provides a competitive bat against the likes of Evan Gattis and Brian McCann.

Originally it was assumed that Gattis and McCann would offset each other both behind the dish and as the designated hitter on their off days.

Now with Beltran’s arrival, manager A.J. Hinch can give them a day off.

When he wants all three in the lineup, Beltran is a serviceable right-fielder.

It’s true that he hasn’t been an everyday outfielder since leaving the St. Louis Cardinals three seasons ago but he has managed to appear in an average of 60 plus games in the outfield since then.

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Possibly the biggest reason to fork out $16 million for one season is his presence in the clubhouse.

In Beltran’s last stop here in Houston, he nearly led the Houston Astros to the World Series in 2004.

Now more than a decade later, he has the chance to be not just a calming presence to the younger guys like Bregman and Correa just to name a couple but a vocal leader who backs up his words with his bat , glove and arm.

Next: Package Alex Bregman For Chris Sale?

Now with a line-up that could possibly include George Springer, Alex Bregman, Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa, Josh Reddick, Yulieski Gurriel, Gattis, McCann and Beltran, it’s time Houston management get serious about finding a front-line pitcher to go with Dallas Keuchel.

Christmas is coming and who knows maybe Chris Sale is on the Houston Astros’ shopping list.

As we found out in the 2015 playoffs, there is more to the game than just hitting the cover off the ball.

Let’s hope for the best with this acquisition.

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