Eight-time MLB All-Star Carlos Beltran is a free agent after playing the past two seasons for the St. Louis Cardinals, and there is already buzz about the outfielder heading to a different club.

According to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com, the New York Yankees are strongly considering bringing in the 36-year-old veteran:

It’s typical for the Yankees to spare no expense in building a roster laden with big names, but given the late juncture at which Beltran is at in his career, this should be the last lucrative deal he’s able to get.

Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports reported that Beltran is seeking a contract that runs three or four years, as well as a new team. On Monday, Beltran declined the Cardinals’ one-year, $14.1 million qualifying offer, according to a report by Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com.    

Beltran just finished a two-year, $26 million contract in St. Louis, per Spotrac.com.

Instead of a potential decline toward the end of his playing days, Beltran has continued to thrive in being labeled an All-Star in each of the past three seasons. In 2013, he hit .296 with 24 home runs and 84 RBI for a Cardinals lineup that scored the third-most runs in baseball.

That should make Beltran’s market competitive, due to his experience and sustained production. One more lucrative payday should follow, and the Yankees would be among the teams that could offer Beltran the most money.

As documented by CBSSports.com, New York had the highest payroll on Opening Day this season with over $228.8 million in player salaries.

In contrast, the Cardinals were 10th in playing their players approximately $115.2 million.

A move to the Bronx would mark Beltran’s sixth different team as he enters his 17th big league season. For a player of Beltran’s caliber and value, though, this should only be the beginning of speculation surrounding him.

Beltran burst onto the scene with the Kansas City Royals in winning American League Rookie of the Year in 1999, and he’s also played for the Houston Astros, New York Mets and San Francisco Giants.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com