Feb
3
2011

Playing Beltran In CF Makes Him More Attractive, Will Net More In A Trade

An article by John Delcos

Angel Pagan said manager Terry Collins has not talked with him or Carlos Beltran about who will play center, but this is an important issue for the Mets to decide as soon as possible in spring training, and it must be the veteran.

With Beltran making $18.5 million this year, the Mets know they will not re-sign him to an extension. They also know with their roster they will not overtake Philadelphia and the wild-card is also a long shot. And, that’s with Beltran and Jason Bay healthy and producing.

Pagan was the better center fielder last year and might be better this season, but the best interest of the Mets in the short term is for Beltran to prove he can play the position.

The Mets have had surface discussions with teams about Beltran, but there aren’t any serious talks because nobody wants to take the gamble on his salary, age and injury history the past two seasons. And, there won’t be any legitimate conversations until Beltran proves he can play, and that means center field.

If Beltran is back in center and hitting, he’ll be easier to trade and a contender might bite. Because Beltran won’t be returning and the Mets aren’t winning this year, his value to the franchise is not as a player but what he can bring back in prospects and the salary they might save.

And, he’ll be easier to move as a center fielder.

About the Author: John Delcos

I am an active member of the BBWAA and have covered Major League Baseball in several capacities for over 20 years, including ten in New York working the Mets' and Yankees' beat. I covered the Baltimore Orioles for eight years and the Cleveland Indians before that. I currently serve as an editor and senior staff writer for Mets Merized Online. Follow me on Twitter @jdelcos.

7 Comments + Add Comment

Chris February 3, 2011 at 12:34 pm

Playing him in centerfield makes our team weaker. Pagan is the best player for centerfield and he sould be there. Teams dont care or pay more if an outfielder playes left, center or right. That’s just a myth. And there’s a good chance we never trade him so just play him in righfield and hope he doesnt kill us out there and can stay healthy and produce.
- t agee February 3, 2011 at 2:03 pm
  
  The best way to accomplish both objectives and work toward fielding a lineup that gives us the best chance to win is to play Beltran in CF and Evans in RF against LHP (if defensively adequate) and switch in Pagan for Evans as soon as a righty appears on the mound, moving Beltran to RF where he should be playing against all RHP.
  - any February 3, 2011 at 2:33 pm
    
    it is fairest to do what Terry said he is doing. Treat Beltran as the incumbent (his job to lose), and evaluate in ST. If Beltran proves he can do the job as well as pagan, let him. otherwise, move him to RF.
    
    It really should be about what is best for the team (not about trading Beltran in July), as in which configuration gives the best win potential. Not sure though in this case that Beltran in RF will do that, since Pagan is very good over there, and Beltran would be having to get used to it.
  - Pete February 3, 2011 at 3:04 pm
    
    Your forgetting one key fact. Beltran’s knees are done, finito, history, all used up. You with me so far? Putting him in CF with those knees is not going to make him more attractive to other teams, just the opposite, and like the man said, we are much better with Pagan in CF, period.
    - any February 3, 2011 at 3:36 pm
      
      RF, especially in CF, is not necessarily easier on the knees. If anything, it could be worse for beltran, since it would require more stop/start, cuts and lateral movement.
      
      CF at least (in theory!) should be more flat out running, which he can still do.
      - t agee February 9, 2011 at 10:20 pm
        
        CF would increase his value but would be more difficult because of the sliding catch on the short line drive, especially as deep as Beltran plays.
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NL East Standings

Team	W	L	Pct.	GB
Braves	25	18	.581	-
Nationals	23	21	.523	2.5
Phillies	21	23	.477	4.5
Mets	17	24	.415	7.0
Marlins	12	32	.273	13.5

Last updated: 05/19/2013

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