Major League Baseball

Cards, Beltran agree to two-year deal

Published Dec. 22, 2011 12:00 a.m. ET

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Ken Rosenthal

He might not be Albert Pujols. But Carlos Beltran is not a bad holiday gift for the St. Louis Cardinals.

Beltran, a free-agent outfielder, reached agreement Thursday with the Cardinals on a two-year, $26 million contract.

The team disclosed the move, and said it expects to make a formal announcement shortly after the holidays. The deal hinges on Beltran passing a physical.

Beltran will get a full no-trade clause, according to major-league sources.

The Cardinals likely will open the season with Beltran in right field as Allen Craig recovers from knee surgery. After that, Beltran likely will some time in center, and also serve as a designated hitter in interleague road games.

"Beltran is a proven outfielder who obviously has been a tough opponent against the Cardinals for many years," 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."

To replace Pujols, the Cardinals will use Lance Berkman at first base. Earlier this offseason, they re-signed both Berkman and free-agent shortstop Rafael Furcal.

Beltran, 34, batted .300/.385/.525 last season with the New York Mets and San Francisco Giants. He ranked 11th in the majors in OPS-plus — combined on-base percentage adjusted to league and ballpark.

With FOXSports Midwest and AP.

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