No hesitation about Beltran's health

Prior to Albert Pujols' departure, and for that reason prior to the Cardinals understood whether they'd possess the financial versatility to even pursue Carlos Beltran, the veteran outfielder had his eye on St. Louis.

That interest was later reciprocated, putting Beltran inside a place where he can help decrease the blow that Pujols' departure designed to St. Louis' selection.

That's presuming, obviously, he stays healthy.

He accomplished it this year, and that he offered no hesitation he would again when talking about his health in the organization's Winter Warm-up event on Monday. Coming off a season by which he performed 142 games -- 134 like a right fielder -- Beltran stated that there's little reason to think that his surgically fixed right knee is not prepared to handle another full-season workload.

"This past year would be a real important year for me personally,Inch stated Beltran, who went through surgery around the knee in The month of january 2010. "After returning in the [knee] injuries, it offered me a feeling of where I'm and just how much baseball I've left. It had been a great season for me personally.Inch

He hit .300 with 22 homers and 84 RBIs using the Mets and Titans this year.

Beltran credited a positional proceed to right area as type in helping him remain on the area all seasons, clearly since it lessened the floor he needed to cover. Nevertheless, he's also agreeable to moving to center area, if required.

That require is not likely to arise in April, as Jon Jay has already been penciled in because the team's beginning center fielder. But maybe it's a move manager Mike Matheny later views when the Cardinals would like to get Allen Craig regular at-bats once he's retrieved from their own knee injuries.

"At this time he states he feels great, and also the doctors have confirmed he looks good," Matheny stated. "It will likely be a juggling act to determine how he progresses with the spring. Spring can be a good test. That informs you plenty about how exactly their physiques are likely to have the ability to endure through the stress of a season. Inside a perfect world, I'd like to see him healthy. So when he's healthy, we've options."

Health was not ever a lot of an problem for Beltran until 2009, whenever a bone bruise cost him up to 50 % the growing season. The knee did not heal not surprisingly, compelling the surgery that winter. He didn't return until following the All-Star burglary 2010 and performed just 64 games. From 2001 to 2008, prior to the set of injuries-affected seasons, Beltran had made an appearance in a minimum of 140 games every year.

The limited action in '09 and 2010 made 2011 an especially critical year for Beltran, who also understood that his seven-year, $119 million contract could be at its finish following the season. His capability to remain on the area left gm John Mozeliak confident enough to sign him to some two-year, $26 million deal recently.

Only Matt Holliday and Chris Contractor can make more in 2012.

"This past year many people thought I wasn't likely to have the ability to participate in the outfield 140, 150 games," Beltran stated. "I demonstrated which was possible. I am just likely to still take proper care of myself. When you are getting older, you are focused and much more prepared, and guess what happens you need to do to be able to maintain yourself. This past year I learned several things I did not do previously. Among the finest to repeat individuals."