Earlier this week, the St. Louis Cardinals and general manager John Mozeliak did their very best to replace the departed Albert Pujols by signing switch-hitting outfielder Carlos Beltran to a two year, $26 million contract.
Beltran, who is 34 and has had a myriad of injuries the past several seasons, is among the best hitters in the game when healthy. Beltran hit .300 with 22 home runs, 84 RBI's and 71 walks while playing for the New York Mets and San Francisco Giants in 2011. It was Beltran's best season in quite some time.
Now that Beltran has signed on to play with the Cardinals for the next two seasons, the question is, where does he hit in the Cardinals still very potent lineup?
Take a look at the breakdown by where Beltran has hit in the lineup throughout his career.
| I | Split | G | HR | RBI | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Batting 1st | 103 | 11 | 61 | .282 | .314 | .744 | |
| Batting 2nd | 231 | 49 | 155 | .293 | .378 | .926 | |
| Batting 3rd | 957 | 173 | 639 | .279 | .356 | .854 | |
| Batting 4th | 281 | 47 | 194 | .293 | .378 | .891 | |
| Batting 5th | 108 | 11 | 65 | .286 | .382 | .805 | |
| Batting 6th | 32 | 2 | 10 | .229 | .325 | .610 | |
| Batting 7th | 36 | 8 | 21 | .310 | .360 | .963 | |
| Batting 8th | 5 | 0 | 0 | .500 | .600 | 1.100 | |
| Batting 9th | 15 | 1 | 1 | .214 | .313 | .813 |
Beltran has clearly spent more time batting in the three hole throughout his career, more than any place in the lineup. If Beltran hits third, he would just take Pujols's vacant spot in the lineup and everybody else's roles would remain the same.
But according to some, new manager Mike Matheny has hinted that he would like to hit Beltran second, which would match the mindset of predecesor Tony La Russa who liked to have some "pop" hitting second in the lineup.
The numbers would seem to support Matheny. With less games played while hitting second, Beltran has a higher batting average, on base percentage, and OPS while hitting second in the lineup. That being said, he is still very good as a number three hitter as well.
The numbers would seem to support Matheny. With less games played while hitting second, Beltran has a higher batting average, on base percentage, and OPS while hitting second in the lineup. That being said, he is still very good as a number three hitter as well.
So where should Beltran hit in the Cardinals lineup? Vote now and leave your comments below.
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