Yankees Introduce Carlos Beltran
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Scott Boehm/Getty Images(NEW YORK) — Carlos Beltran is finally a Yankee. The Yankees introduced Beltran on Friday after he signed a three-year, $45 million deal two weeks ago.
“Having the opportunity to come back again as a Yankee means a lot to me,” Beltran said. “I grew up being a Yankee fan. I grew up being a Bernie Williams fan. At one point [in 2005], I almost got a chance to sign with the Yankees, but it didn’t work out.”
Beltran signed with the Mets in 2005, but is happy to wear a No. 36 pinstripe uniform.
“What is in the past is in the past,” Beltran said. “I’m just looking forward to joining this ball club, looking forward to the challenges ahead.”
Beltran spent last season with the Cardinals and hit .296 with 24 homers and 84 RBIs and is looking forward to playing with the newly acquired free agents in Brian McCann and Jacoby Ellsbury.
“I believe we have a good team to go all the way,” Beltran said.
General manager Brian Cashman is happy to have Beltran aboard. “This is someone who has always wanted to be a Yankee,” he said. “We’ve experienced discussions along the way throughout our tenure with the possibility to bring him in here. We are happy to land him now.”
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