The Yankees have been rather un-Yankee-like in terms of performance all year, but they’re doing what they can to regain their reputation in the offseason by ratcheting up the free-agent shopping.
New York, fresh off signing catcher Brian McCann to a long-term deal, is the leader in wooing former Cardinals outfielder Carlos Beltran, according to George A. King III of the New York Post. While it looks like the Yankees will close the deal, they are still negotiating with Beltran since the 36-year-old is hoping for a three-year contract, while the team would prefer a two-year pact.
The Yankees are working on signing second baseman Robinson Cano, too, but Beltran has been marked as their No. 1 target. The veteran outfielder was an All-Star the last two seasons in St. Louis and has some of the best postseason numbers in the game, all preferable criteria for a Yankees team that likes plugging its holes with veterans while pining for the playoffs.
Beltran hit .296 with 24 home runs and 84 home runs last year. He is also said to be drawing interest from the Red Sox, Mariners, Orioles and Royals.
King said Beltran is not expected to decide this week.
