After losing Robinson Cano, and Curtis Granderson earlier in the day, it didn’t take the Yankees long to jump back into the free agent pool. Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News is reporting that the Yankees have signed free agent outfielder Carlos Beltran to a three-year deal. The contract is said to be worth $45 million.

Beltran spent last season with the St. Louis Cardinals. He will be 37 in April. Despite his age the switch-hitting outfielder has continued to provide high quality defense and a productive bat.

Last season, Beltran hit .296/.339/.491 with 24 home runs, 84 RBI and 79 runs in 145 games played.

Beltran’s powerful left-handed swing against right-handers seems perfect for New Yankee Stadium and the short right-field porch.

Beltran joins the newly signed Jacoby Ellsbury, Alfonso Soriano, Brett Gardner, Vernon Wells, and Ichiro Suzuki, in a crowded Yankees outfield. It will be interesting to see how they apportion playing time. With the DH available, it could be used to keep the legs of Soriano, Suzuki, and Beltran fresh. Even so, we have a real log jam here, and another move could be coming.

Beltran has had a stellar post-season career with 16 home runs in 51 games, but the World Series ring has eluded him. Clearly choosing the Yankees over some other interested suitors like the Kansas City Royals was don with the goal of winning that elusive ring in mind.

The deal marks the Yankees third major free agent signing, with Ellsbury, and catcher Brian McCann.

Thanks for reading. Feel free to follow our baseball department on twitter – @BestCoastBias, @sellmyhomemike, @nvincelli, @yankeefever2011, @tonytalkssports, @LWOS_ Sibo, @purplerocktober, and @lastwordmatt and can also follow the site while you are at it – @lastwordonsport and like our Facebook Page.

Interested in writing for LastWordOnSports? If so, check out our “Join Our Team” page to find out how.