On Sunday, I was surprised to read an article from Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald which started out as a knock on Red Sox centerfielder Jacoby Ellsbury, who has fallen out of his good graces because of his UZR rating. His column takes a surprising twist when he suggests that Carlos Beltran would be a likely trade target for the Bosox in the off season.
Naturally, this is nothing more than a sports columnist penning a Sunday article full of speculation on what was a slow news day in Bean Town, but it does make for an interesting debate.
One situation that bears close monitoring is Carlos Beltran with the New York Mets.
The Big Apple’s other team has descended back into the depths of mediocrity the past two years. There has not been a word about the team going into rebuilding mode, but Beltran, arguably the best defensive center fielder in the game the last few years, has $18.5 million left on each of his remaining two years in 2010 and ’11. He also has a full no-trade clause.
Beltran’s salary is about $1-2.5 million more than what Bay is likely to end up commanding per year, not that big a difference at all, plus Beltran plays the premium position and is considered the better all-around player.After reading the complete article, Silverman even convinced me that Theo Epstein would most likely come to the same conclusion as the author and at the very least inquire about the availability of our gold glove centerfielder. Especially if they were to get shut out on their attempts to retain Jason Bay.
The question for Mets fans becomes is there any package that the Red Sox could offer, that would make trading Beltran worth it?
With $37 million dollars remaining on Beltran’s contract, two surgically repaired knees, a lingering bone bruise, and the fact that he’s not getting any younger, maybe trading Carlos Beltran isn’t such a bad idea. Right?
Wrong!
At this point in time, Carlos Beltran is more than just an aging centerfielder who can play a solid centerfield. He is now officially the Mets’ lone legitimate power source who could be relied on for 30 homeruns. Until David Wright proves that last season’s power outage was just a fluke, the Mets could hardly afford to part with their one true power hitter.
Beltran has also been a quiet leader in the clubhouse and a steadying presence on the team. His signing legitimized the Mets as a contender and he was chiefly responsible for getting us to within one out of the World Series even though so many choose to remember just one solitary at-bat in his MVP type season that year.
Before going down with a bone bruise in 2009, Beltran was on the verge of another MVP caliber season and led the National League in batting average, on-base percentage, RBI’s, and runs scored before the injury wiped him out. Still, in 300 at-bats he still finished with a .325 batting average and a .915 OPS. Add to that a remarkable .415 on-base percentage, 50 runs scored, 48 RBI and 11 stolen bases in just 81 games played. Even an older and injured Carlos Beltran can run circles around most MLB centerfielders. And when you add in his gold glove defense it becomes much more obvious that trading Beltran for a pitching prospect like Clay Buchholz and another another minor leaguer would amount to insanity on the part of the Mets.
Trading Beltran while his value is so low could possibly be the worst thing the Mets could do this off season and goes completely against the the old adage of sell high and buy low.
Furthermore, it creates an entirely new set of problems for a team that is already swamped with them. How do you replace Carlos Beltran’s offense? Who patrols centerfield at Citi Field, which boasts the most ground to cover than any other park in the Major Leagues?
An in-house option like rookie Fernando Martinez is still years away from being Major League ready, as he showed all of us during his brief cup of coffee in the Majors this past season.
As presently constructed, the Mets are a win-now team. Trading Beltran would be akin to blowing it all up and starting over from scratch. And if that’s the case, then the Mets should trade Johan Santana and K-Rod too.
The bottom line is that the Mets have the core players to put a championship caliber team on ther field in 2010, and Carlos Beltran is one of those key core players. With a number two starter and apower bat in either left field or first base, the Mets could easily overtake the Phillies next season. But that would be an impossible quest if we didn’t have Beltran on the team.
*Mets Merized Online Needs Your Help*
I disagree,
First of all you know where you can stuff your UZR’s.
Definitely look into it. If we could trade Beltran to the Bosox for Ellsbury and more we could still sign a power hitter F.A. and completely revamp the team.
Maybe Reyes (who is a 7 year VETERAN – NOT a rookie) can learn how to play the game from Ellsbury but I doubt it cuz guys like Reyes just don’t want to learn.
Nonetheless, I still like the look of Ellsbury and Reyes at the top of the order.
So we’re going to have Reyes, Ellsbury, Pagan and Castillo, all leadoff type hitters on the team? And that dont count Wright who had hiomself a solid leadoff hitter type year in 09.
I forgot to add that the article doesn’t say Ellsbury goes in the deal, only that they move Ellsbury to left to make room for Beltran in centerfield and add a middle of the order hitter. Only a mad man would trade Ellsbury for Beltran and Theo Epstien is one of the most brilliant GM’s in baseball. Like this post infers, Beltran will get you either a solid pitching prospect or a numbe 3-4 type pitcher. Beltran’s value is the lowest it has ever been.
To Everybody who reads kevin’s response to my post:
Do you all notice how he completely misunderstood whati said?
Did I say anything about Pagan and Castillo?
Where am I referencing Pagan and Castillo??
Where is the slightest hint to a reference to Pagan and Castillo?
For all I know Pagan and Castillo could be included in the damned deal!
Did I say anything about the rest of the team?
I included Ellsbury because it make the most sense in this post and has been discussed before
Don’t make these posts more complicated than they are, just read the person’s post, understand his/her talking points and respond accordingly
All these misinterpretations waste everybody’s time typing
I was only pointing out that even if the Sox were crazy enough to give Ellsbury up for Beltran, it leaves us with five leadoff type players, and now we not only have to replace Delgado’s power, but Beltran’s too. If we were getting Victor Martinez instead, at least we get a middle of the order hitter and actually fill a need at catcher.
Did I not say we would need an additional power hitter anyway in my first post?
Did I not say the team would be revamped in my first post?
ok I’m done on this subject
Bayonne, don’t be a jerk.
Who cares about Pagan and Castillo? Don’t talk to me about two baseball non-entities. One is a moron and the other is a statue. They are flotsam and jetsam–you do not plan a future with them in mind. This team is going nowhere with them. I like Beltran but I am on record as being in favor of trading him because you trade a guy before he goes into decline. That is what winning organizations do. mets organizations don’t. winning ones do. It’s time they started doing the things that winners do. I think Beltran is either shot or this close to being shot. Let him go to Boston and DH some of the time. Maybe he has a couple of years left. But this team is more than a couple away. My only qualifier for trading him? King’s ransom. I am not sure Omar and Jeffie could get that. Ellsbury is not enough. A couple of top prospects and Ellsbury, one of them being a starting pitcher, and I might go for it. I just do not trust the current management to get the right deal.
JDON, THE REDICULOUSNESS OF DISCUSSING AN ITEM THE AUTHOR CLEARLY LABELED AS NOTHING BETTER TO WRITE SPECULATION IS TRUE FOLLY. WHATEVER U THINK OF THE FRONTOFFICE IT’S TRUE THEY WOULD NEVER GET THE BETTER END OF DEALING BELTRAN AT THIS JUNCTURE. ARGUABLY THIS TEAM IS 2 ACQUIRABLE PLAYERS AWAY FROM BEING THE BEST THAY’VE EVER BEEN. NOTICE I SAY ARGUABLY. LET’S DREAM FOR A MOMENT & ASSUME THEY SOMEHOW ACQUIRED HALLADAY & FIELDER. PLAUSABLE? NO. IMPOSSIBLE? AGAIN, NO! SO HOW DO U CONTEMPLATE DESTROYING A ROSTER THAT CLOSE? CAN’T TRADE FOR BOTH? OK. WHAT IF THEY TRADE FOR FIELDER & SIGN LACKEY GETTING HALLADAY LEVEL NUMBERS OUT OF LACKEY? STILL A FAVORITE, NO?
JUST LIKE SPENDING MORE DOESN’T REDUCE YOUR DEBT. TAKING AWAY MORE DOESN’T COMPLETE YOUR HOLE-FILLED TEAM.
I don’t think we should be closed minded about the possibility of trading Beltran. However, with his injuries I agree that his trade value is down and Theo will not give us what we deserve for him. I also don’t think that Omar is in posession of the skills to go head to head with Theo. I say unless Theo is willing to trade BIG, we should hold on to Beltran.
Even with his injuries, Beltran’s numbers were pretty good. I think his stock is just fine.
A GM with a real brain could build this into a blockbuster trade. Unfortunately, we’ve got Omar to do the talking with Theo. That leaves us very outclassed in the brains department.
Exactly, I’d hope that Omar doesn’t try to match wits with Theo, we could lose Beltran for a couple of “prospects”.
U mean the guy who got us Delgado for Mike Jacobs, Angel Pagan for almost nothing, Santana for 4 guys, 3 of which will probably never amount to much. Overall, I think Omar has done better for himself than the 2 slobs that preceded him.
I think we lost on the Wagner deal, but I think that had more to do with the ownership, than Omar.
Not no but hell no!
Beltran goes no where! Make him a Met for life!
my thoughts exactly! I agree with Kelly forget trading him, we should make him a met for the rest of his career =) I can’t believe there’s only two years left on his current contract…
He really can’t be a met for life if he has already been a KC Royal. What is the point of having him hobbling around? That is why other teams regard our organization as a laughing stock. We do things for all the wrong reasons. There is only one right reason: build a winning organization.
I would not trade Beltran to the Sox, though I would trade him along with Niese and Parnell and MAYBE 2 other prospects to the Blue Jays for Halladay and Vernon Wells.
The Blue Jays rid themselves of Wells contract (which they r desperate to do), and get a bona-fide CF in return. And actually get something for Halladay, while freeing up payroll, their biggest concern.
The Mets take a hit in productivity at CF, but Wells can rake at least in even years and this year coming up is a even year. Getting Halladay is worth almost anything and makes all other points moot.
Now, if the Wilpons are for real and commit to spending money this year, bring back Delgado for cheap and/or Huff, these guys can’t posibly get over 6 mil. Go sign Matt Holliday and then the Mets have a chance of competing with the Phils.
i like your idea but Toronto should pay some of Wells contract.
I would go for this if Wells had not out and out stunk. He not only isn’t worth the money. He stinks. He is mailing it in.
Ellsbury and Youk.
He is a spectacular OFer, Let’s face it, he hits really well for the most part, too, but, and I hate to sound like a boring cliche, there’s something so wimpy about his style of play.
At this point, I still want him in a Mets uniform in April 2010.
Carlos Beltran is a good player and an outstanding center fielder. But he turned an extremely hot playoff in 2004 into a multi-million dollar contract that was worth WAYYY much more than his talent really is.
We’ve all seen him get hot and cold. He just got hot at the right time and cashed in on it big time.
You’re in luck HoJo. The Boston Herald shot down that rumor.
http://fullcount.weei.com/sports/boston/baseball/red-sox/2009/10/26/beltran-not-an-option-for-sox-or-anyone-else/
And here is part of the article.
A major-league source said that the Mets would not even entertain the idea of trading Beltran. The Mets are instead giving every indication that they will be active in adding pieces this offseason (New York is expected to get involved in the markets for Bay and/or Matt Holliday). Given that likelihood, it would not make sense for the team to deal one of its best players.
Beltran is coming off a season in which he missed 2.5 months with a bone bruise on his right knee. When healthy, he performed at an elite level, hitting .325 with a .360 OBP, .496 slugging mark, 10 homers and 11 steals (in 12 attempts) while playing in 81 games.
Good!!!!
Hopefully trading Beltran,Reyes nad Wright is a non issue.
All we need is a left fielder (Nady?), a first baseman (Fielder? Ike Davis?) a number 2 AND 3 starter and a bench that doesn’t consist of Omar Miniya’s distant relatives from sandlots in the D.R.
If we make a trade with the Redsox, let it be Omar Minya with a copy of how to be a GM for dummies, Oliver Perez, and Mike Pelfry along with a case of lithium, prozac, and depakote, a bottle of tums for Terry Francona and $10 million cash for the pain, suffering, and ineptitude the the Redsox will experience from that trio……for Theo Epstein.
So many people have te same reaction: that Omar is not the guy to do it. It is so depressing to think of him being here another year.
Exactly!!
Pedroia and Elsbury for Reyes and Beltran. But they have to throw in a good pitching prospect since Reyes and Beltran are considered top star and Elsbury hardly is. You think its crazy? We get younger, less injury prone and get talent that fits ‘the Cavern’ (aka Wilpon’s Dodger Folly). We’d have the talent to win now provided of course we get the solid # 2 starter and Holiday in left. Remember you don’t know what Reyes is going to be anymore and Beltran is still good but beat-up.
” Remember you don’t know what Reyes is going to be anymore”…
Neither do the Red Sox, so this ain’t flying. They’re not about to toss Pedroia in a trade that has Reyes in it with only one leg that works. Do you remember it’s Theo calling the shots?
I think only a good Gm would look to trade a player like Beltran.You have to have 1 oeye on the future and 1 eye on the now.I wouldn’t close anydoors.What if we offered Beltran for Ellsbury and Lester and Masterson.We would add a proven starter centerfielder and closer of the future.We also would save some money while getting younger.That we could spend on Lackey and Holliday.
Santana-lackey-lester-pelfrey-maine not bad at all
How about ellsbury-castillo-reyes-holliday-wright-murphy-francour-barajas.
If I had to have Murphy in the lineup, I would hope he batted seventh or later. Getting good pitching is a great idea. Not complementing it with great infield defense kind of waters down a great idea.
DON’T EVER WAKE UP FROM THAT DREAM WHERE THEO FELL ON HID HEAD. MAYBE HE’LL THROW IN TEDDY BASEBALL’S HEAD IF HE CAN LOCATE IT.
Steve, We won’t be getting Materson from the BoSox since he was traded to the Tribe a while back. But your idea is in the right direction. A good GM who strike a deal with the Sox. Ellsbury and Lester or Buckholz make a good target as long as we put the right pieces in. And think of striking a deal that involves Youkilis (fat chance, right?)
i would trade Beltran to the BOSOX for Bucholz, whom i think is on the cusp of being a #1 or #2 starter, Ryan Kalish, LF, 22 next year, with a promising bat,and Fabian Williamson, 22 in October, 2010, a low A prospect with drooling potential. And substitute either solid-hitting Daniel Nava, 27 next year, OF, or Eammon Portice for Kalish. Portice will be 25 in ‘10, was in high A, and is a pitcher with interesting potential. Bucholz, however, must be in the deal.
Beltran will be 33 next April, is injury-prone, and has likely peaked. i believe Theo Epstein would do the deal, and i think it would benefit the Mets over the next 1 – 3 years, and into the long term.