There's no question the best move is to put Berkman at first. It extends the games he can play and he's the only one in the group that's actually played first. Descalso is a valuable fill in, but I don't see him everyday. Given Freese's injury history its prudent to have a backup for him. You think Holliday is a defensive liability in left, wait until he tries to field a hooking ground smash coming from a right hander.

Yeah, that the only difference in "commitment" between the two clubs was how big the number on the contract was. And he absolutely should be excoriated by _every_ sportswriter in the biz over claiming he was worried about the Cards commitment to him after baseball. That is the biggest load of horseshit I've _ever_ seen a player try to shovel as an excuse for why he left. **** him.

TBrownYahooTim Brown

Cards and Beltran ironing out last details of two-year contract, according to source. @dgoold was first.

Excellent signing, hopefully can play 130 games.

Ken_RosenthalKen Rosenthal


Confirmed: Beltran two-year, $26 million deal with #STLCards. Full no-trade. #MLB

$26M.

Guess they think he can still play CF.

Maybe he goes to RF and Berkman to 1st

And where does Allen Craig play? (Berk at 1st is a given)

Granted he's going to miss the beginning of the season, but he needs to be a full-time player in 2012.

You play Beltran all over the outfield, and give Craig every day at 1st that Berk sits as well as spell time at both corner OF spots.

He can easily get 400+ AB like that.

I think I'm posting in the wrong thread .... Sorry

Ridiculous $ at this point in his career.

Wow. Just got used to not hating Berkman, and now I have to learn not to hate Beltran. Must suck to be an Asstros fan right now. :D

Once everyone is healthy, I see the lineup this way or thereabouts:

1 Furcal
2 Beltran
3 Holliday
4 Berkman
5 Master Allen
6 Freese
7 Yadi
8 Whoever is playing 2b
9 Pitcher

On paper, not too bad. Of course a lot will depend on Beltran's production. If he can get back to his production levels of a few years ago, this could be a scary lineup with a lot of pop 2-6 in the lineup.

If Berkman keeps it up and Beltran has the same type of revival it will be real painful for Astro fans.

That's 2 big ifs. I think Berk can do it, not sold on Beltran. I hated him more than Berk though.

Maybe he and Waino can reenact the game 7 curve ball in training camp.

I think I'd move Holliday down and Freese up.