Reports abound that Mets outfielder Carlos Beltran is the hottest commodity in the trade market, “He’s gold right now and every contender wants his bat in the lineup’, Jon Heyman said on WFAN yesterday.

Making Beltran even more attractive is the news that the Mets are telling teams they will pay all of the remaining $7 million dollars on Beltran’s contract in return for a top prospect.

That news was reported yesterday by ESPN after an NL source told them, “From what I gather, they are asking a lot for him because they are willing to pick up all of his salary.”

Beltran is in the final season of a seven-year, $119 million contract and has a full no-trade clause. He has gone on record that he would approve a trade to the Giants, Rangers or Tigers.

GM Sandy Alderson has insisted that he was not dismantling the team during the All Star break and that he was in no rush to trade Beltran. But since making those comments, rumors have surfaced every day that indicate the Mets have been actively shopping Beltran and aggressively at that.

Manager Terry Collins said he expects to have Beltran back in the lineup today after a bout with the flu. After last night’s game, Collins said he felt “a little awkward” regarding the likely loss of his best slugger and run producer, “I’ve never been in this situation before.”

Maybe it’s just me, but the team has lost much of it’s energy – that extra kick in their step – ever since they traded their closer Frankie Rodriguez. They look listless and the record shows it. Getting rid of Beltran may snuff out whatever remaining life there may be left in the 2011 Mets.

Can you imagine David Wright returning to carry the weight of this offense on his own?  It could get real ugly in the final two months of this season… real ugly. Who are the Mets going to rely on to be their thumper in the line-up, Jason Bay? Don’t make me laugh…

One thing we’ve seen without Beltran these last few games, is just how terrible this team will be without his presence in the lineup. Heck, I read the comments on Twitter and on our threads about fans already tuning out for the rest of the season, turning the game off in the 5th inning, posting their disgust and disappointment…

Mike Francesa who rarely says anything worth noting, did say something yesterday that made sense.

“Forget 2011 when he (Beltran) goes, and forget the 2012 season too. The Mets go into next offseason with the same holes to fill and the same problems as last offseason. But now they need a cleanup hitter, a shutdown reliever, and possibly a catalyst at shortstop and in the leadoff spot – on top of all the other deficiencies they had going into this season. Tough being a Mets fan these days.”

I can’t say I disagree with him.