Beltran agrees to deal with Yanks

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.

Beltran, 36, is an eight-time All-Star who played for the New York 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.

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 his 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.

• Yankees managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner said pitcher Hiroki Kuroda will return for a third season in the Bronx. The right-hander, who turns 39 in February, got off to a strong start last season before fading down the stretch. He finished 11-13 with a 3.31 ERA in 32 starts covering 201 1/3 innings. Several reports indicated the deal was for one year at about $16 million.

• The Yankees also finalized a $3 million, one-year contract with 31-year-old utilityman Kelly Johnson. An eight-year big league veteran, Johnson, hit .235 (86 for 366) with 16 homers and 52 RBIs this year for Tampa Bay.

Granderson to Mets

Former New York Yankees outfielder Curtis Granderson is heading across town. The 33-year-old free-agent agreed to a $60 million, four-year contract with the New York Mets, according to a person familiar with the situation. Granderson batted .229 with seven homers and 15 RBIs in 2012, when wrist and hand injuries limited him to 61 games.

Nationals land McLouth

A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press that free-agent outfielder Nate McLouth and the Washington Nationals have reached a deal. Other media outlets reported it would be a two-year deal. The 32-year-old McLouth hit .258 with 12 home runs and 36 RBIs in 146 games for Baltimore last season.

Feldman joins Astros

Scott Feldman got a three-year deal with Houston. He was 12-12 with a 3.86 ERA in 30 total starts for the Chicago Cubs and Baltimore last season.