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NEW YORK (AP) - Carlos Beltran is coming back to New York, this time to the Bronx.
The All-Star outfielder and the Yankees agreed Friday to a $45 million, three-year contract, two people familiar with the deal said. Beltran's agreement came hours after second baseman Robinson Cano decided to leave for Seattle and on the same day pitcher Hiroki Kuroda agreed to return for 2014.
Beltran's deal was detailed to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because it was subject to a physical and had not yet been announced. The agreement was first reported by the New York Daily News.
Beltran, 36, is an eight-time All-Star who played for the Mets from 2005-11, when he was dealt to San Francisco. He signed a $26 million, two-year contract with St. Louis before the 2012 season and reached the World Series for the first time this year.
Slowed by knee injuries, Beltran has retained a potent bat _ especially in October. He hit .296 with 24 homers and 84 RBIs for the Cardinals this year and added two homers and 15 RBIs in the postseason. Beltran injured ribs in the World Series opener when he banged into Fenway Park's right-fight fence while robbing Boston's David Ortiz of a grand slam.
Beltran joins a crowded Yankees outfield. Brett Gardner, Ichiro Suzuki and Alfonso Soriano are set to return, and Jacoby Ellsbury has a $153 million, seven-year deal pending.
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