Carlos Beltran arrives in Houston to join Astros
HOUSTON - Carlos Beltran, the Astros new outfielder/designated hitter, arrived in Houston at Bush Intercontinental Airport Sunday night.
It may have been late, but that did not stop manager A.J. Hinch from personally picking up Beltran at the airport.
“Honestly, I’m happy to be back,” Beltran said. “Just looking forward to go out there with those young guys and hopefully bring a championship to the city.
“That’s something that I’ve been pursuing all my career. I believe this team is capable of doing that.”
Beltran agreed to a one-year contract with the Astros worth $16 million.
Last season he split time between the Yankees and Rangers and hit .295, with 29 home runs and 93 RBIs.
“Happy to join a great club,” Beltran said. “Being able to face the Astros (last season), I felt this club is close, close to winning.
With the acquisitions they made, adding (catcher) Brian McCann, myself and the young core in the infield with (Jose) Altuve and (Carlos) Correa, (Alex) Bregman, all those guys, we feel it’s going to be an exciting year.”
Beltran looks forward to playing with Altuve and Correa.
“It’s going to be fun,” Beltran said. “We’re going to be able to understand each other in Spanish, which is great.
“I have a lot of admiration for what Altuve has done since he got to the big leagues, and also Correa. I’m talking about two young superstars in the game of baseball, each of them top three in their positions. It’s going to be fun to join a club that gives you that type of luxury.”