After Albert Pujols left St. Louis for the money of Southern California, the St. Louis Cardinals needed a bat to replace his production and maintain a veteran core to support the youthful, explosive talent in the Cardinals lineup.
General manager John Mozeliak needed someone to hit in the middle of the lineup. Somebody who could hit for some power, for a high average, and take very good, patient at bats. Somebody that can put pressure on the opposition on a regular basis so that guys like David Freese and Allen Craig have a chance to succeed and hit with runners on base.
Mozeliak found Carlos Beltran because Carlos Beltran is only interested in winning a World Series Championship.
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General manager John Mozeliak needed someone to hit in the middle of the lineup. Somebody who could hit for some power, for a high average, and take very good, patient at bats. Somebody that can put pressure on the opposition on a regular basis so that guys like David Freese and Allen Craig have a chance to succeed and hit with runners on base.
Mozeliak found Carlos Beltran because Carlos Beltran is only interested in winning a World Series Championship.
"I have accomplished nice things. Win a Gold Glove. Win a Silver Slugger bat. All-Star Games. It's been great. But I would like to have that opportunity to win a championship. That's something that I want to have again as an experience. There have been a lot players who played this game and have never won one. Right now, I'm looking for that. That's what I want."
Beltran's addition absolutely gives the Cardinals a chance to repeat as World Series champs, especially if Beltran can stay healthy and play center field three or four times a week.
Last season, while playing with the New York Mets and San Francisco Giants, Beltran belted 22 home runs while obtaining a .300 average in 142 games played. If Beltran can replicate that type of production in the middle of the lineup, the Cardinals should have a potent offense once again.
Not only does Beltran hit for a high average and for power when healthy, but he gets on base and makes pitchers work. Beltran drew 71 walks last season and had a .385 on base percentage. Beltran saw 3.75 pitchers per plate appearance as well in 2011.
If you stick that production in the middle of the lineup and surround it with Lance Berkman, Matt Holliday, and David Freese, the Cardinals have just as potent of an offense as anybody in baseball and may not blink with Pujols gone.
Beltran seems like the perfect for the Cardinals this season. By the sound of it, Beltran is motivated to win a World Series.
And if the switch hitting outfielder is healthy, the Cardinals have a good chance at repeating as champs.
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