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Beltran Out To Make Most Of Likely Final Season With Yankees

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- He's not yet ready to retire, but Carlos Beltran says he's realistic about what the future has in store for him in baseball.

The veteran outfielder told the Daily News on Wednesday he is doing everything in his power to make what will likely be his final season with the Yankees count.

"I'm just concentrating on just this year," said Beltran, who will turn 39 in April. "Because I have a responsibility of one more year on my contract, so, I just want to really put myself in a position where I can help this ballclub. And, at the end of the year, I will decide what's going to happen based on the year that I put this year, and if physically I feel like I want to play one more, then I would love to."

Beltran finished with a .276 average, 19 home runs and 67 RBI last season and was arguably the Yankees' best hitter during the second half. He will again be counted on in the middle of the lineup during the 2016 season, and said he's worked even harder this offseason to keep in shape, working out and hitting five days a week.

Normally around 218 pounds entering spring training, Beltran told the newspaper he could show up in Florida 10 pounds lighter.

The Yankees did not live up to their lofty expectations during the first two years of the $45 million free-agent contract Beltran signed prior to the 2014 season, with just a shutout loss in last season's AL wild card game to show for their efforts.

Beltran said the Yankees, despite apparent question marks in their starting rotation, have what it takes to make a deep playoff run in 2016, mostly because of two trades general manager Brian Cashman pulled off earlier in the offseason.

The veteran outfielder said he sees Aroldis Chapman as a game-changer in the bullpen and expects second baseman Starlin Castro to take his game to the next level.

MORE: Yankees' McCann, Miller Rave About Addition Of Fireballer Chapman

Citing the Bombers' three-headed relief monster of Chapman, Andrew Miller and Dellin Betances, Beltran said the Yankees should be able to preserve more victories and surpass 90 wins for the first time since 2012.

"So that's very positive, and also gives Joe Girardi the luxury of saying, 'You know what, if I have to give a rest to this guy or this other guy, all three guys can close a ball game,'" Beltran said.

Castro, who was acquired from the Chicago Cubs, is a three-time All-Star with 991 hits over his first six seasons. Beltran said he has the potential to be a real offensive force in the Yankees' lineup.

"When I look at Castro, I look at a very talented ballplayer and, even though he has put up good years in Chicago, I still feel he has a lot more," Beltran said.

Beltran and the Yankees begin official spring training workouts on Feb. 25.

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