The Cardinals signed free agent right fielder Carlos Beltran to a two-year, $26 million contract. The deal includes a full no-trade clause.
Allen Craig, who had been the projected right fielder, is out until perhaps May after knee surgery. When Craig returns, Beltran could slide over to center field although his stated preference is right field.
Beltran was a tormentor of the Cardinals when he played for Houston, especially in the 2004 National League Championship Series. Formerly a Gold Glove center fielder, Beltran played right field last season after recovering from knee surgery.
“Beltran is a proven outfielder who obviously has been a tough opponent against the Cardinals for many years,” St. Louis general manager John Mozeliak said in a statement. “It is going to be nice to have his bat and competitive nature working for us instead of on the other side of the field for the next couple of years.”
Information from KMOV.com and Cardinal Nation contributed to this report.