The Cardinals have signed 34-year old switch-hitting outfielder Carlos Beltran to a 2-year, $26 million dollar deal. Beltan played in 142 games for the Mets & Giants last year and he was 156 of 520 (.300 avg, .910 OPS) with 78 runs scored, 22 homers, 84 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. He has now played in 1,768 games in his first 14 years in the majors and he is 1,917 of 6,767 (.283 avg, .857 OPS) with 1,184 runs scored, 302 homers, 1,146 RBIs and 293 stolen bases. Beltran will likely start in RF when the 2012 season begins for the Cardinals and then shift to CF when Allen Craig is ready to return from injury. This was a great move for the Cardinals.

The Cardinals have signed 28-year old lefty reliever R.J. Swindle to a minor league deal. Swindle pitched in 39 games (0 starts) in AAA-ball last year and he was 2-0 with 1 save, a 2.37 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP. He last pitched in the majors back in 2009 for the Brewers. He has pitched in 9 games (0 starts) in his first two years in the minors and he is 0-0 with a 12.71 ERA and a 2.38 WHIP. The Cardinals might give Swindle a chance to make the team next spring as a situational lefty in the pen.

The Cardinals have signed IF/OF Eugenio Velez to a minor league deal. Velez played in 34 games for the Dodgers last year and he was 0 for 37 (.000 avg, .075 OPS) with 5 runs scored, 1 RBI and 1 stolen base. He has now played in 259 games in his first five years in the majors and he is 160 of 663 (.241 avg, .654 OPS) with 89 runs scored, 8 homers, 72 RBIs and 31 stolen bases. The Cardinals will likely stash Velez in AAA in 2012 and give him another chance at the majors to make up for 2011, if the need arises and he deserves to be recalled.

The Cardinals have signed 35-year old lefty reliever J.C. Romero to a 1-year deal. Romero pitched in 36 games (0 starts) for the Phillies & Rockies last year and he was 1-0 with a 4.01 ERA and a 1.74 WHIP. He has now pitched in 664 games (22 starts) in his first 13 years in the majors and he is 34-28 with 7 saves, a 4.07 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP. Romero will be the Cardinals’ situational lefty reliever in 2012.

The Cardinals have decided not to tender a contract for the 2012 season to 32-year old righty swinging shortstop Ryan Theriot. Theriot played in 132 games for the Cardinals last year and he was 120 for 442 (.271 avg, .662 OPS) with 46 runs scored, 1 homer, 47 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. He has now played in 795 games in his first 7 years in the majors and he is 816 for 2,894 (.282 avg, .697 OPS) with 401 runs scored, 17 homers, 229 RBIs and 108 stolen bases. The Cardinals had no real need for Theriot anymore after deciding to bring back Rafael Furcal.