Report: Carlos Beltran to sign with Houston Astros

With the Yankees needing a DH following the trade of Brian McCann to Houston last month, many thought the organization would reunite with Carlos Beltran, who was traded to the Texas Rangers from the Bronx last summer. Instead, Beltran will join McCann in Houston after agreeing to terms on a one-year $16M contract Saturday afternoon, according to ESPN's Buster Olney. The deal includes a full no-trade clause. According to Mark Feinsand of the Daily News, a source said the Yankees "kicked the tires" on Beltran, but never even made a formal offer. The Astros have supplemented their young talent with older veterans - first with McCann, Josh Reddick and now Beltran. After making the playoffs in 2015, the Astros took a step back in '15 with an 84-78 record - good for third in the AL West. The organization is now primed to have a rebound 2017 campaign in what should be a competitive division along with Texas and Seattle. The Yankees, according to Jon Morosi of MLB Network, are "well-positioned" to go after Edwin Encarnacion, who now has lost Houston as a prime suitor. Encarnacion reportedly wants upwards of four years and around $100M. It remains to be seen if the Yankees are willing to shell out that kind of money for a 33-year old slugger. Expect some movement on the Encarnacion front next week at the Winter Meetings.