MLB Trade Rumors: Should the Giants Target Carlos Beltran?

by Ray Guilfoyle on Jul 14, 2011 7:11 AM EDT in MLB Trade Rumors

PHOENIX, AZ - JULY 12: National League All-Star Carlos Beltran #15 of the New York Mets hits an infield single in the fourth inning of the 82nd MLB All-Star Game at Chase Field on July 12, 2011 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

There have been several reports linking the Giants to Mets outfielder Carlos Beltran recently, and the latest was from Giants closer Brian Wilson who came out and stated after saving the All Star game for the National League "I guess were in talks with them about Beltran". Add to the fact that Beltran flew to Phoenix with the Giants, and there appears to be plenty of interest on both sides.

Beltran is having an injury-free season in 2011, hitting .285-.377.-.503 with 13 HRs, 58 RBIs and 53 runs scored. His K rate is right around his career norms, and he is walking more this season-12.5% vs career BB rate of 10.7%. In addition to the 13 HRs, Beltran has hit 28 doubles, and is on pace to break his career high of 44 doubles set way back in 2002.

His batted ball slash line of .20/.35/.45 is above his career average of .19/.42/.38, and shows he is hitting more fly balls and less ground balls than normal. His .218 ISO is his best showing since 2008 where his ISO was .216, and his .311 BABIP is his highest since his .318 BABIP in 2003 (i overlooked his .352 BABIP in 2009 since he did not play a full season).

More on Beltran to the Giants after the jump:

Foxsports Ken Rosenthal reported yesterday that the Giants have the payroll flexibility to add "a middle-of-the-order hitter" this season, and Chris Haft from MLB.com reported that "the need to look for offense is obvious". Looking deeper at the Giants outfield production, the need becomes even more clear. Here is what the Giants have received from their outfielders this season:

Nate Schierholtz: .293-.343-.464, 7 HRs, 35 RBIs, 33 runs, 5 SBs

Andres Torres: .226-.321-.361 with 3 HRs, 14 RBIs, 32 runs and 9 SBs

Aaron Rowand: 2.42-.295-.347 with 2 HRs, 17 RBIs, 28 runs and 2 SBs

Cody Ross: .275-.361-.428 with 6 HRs, 25 RBIs, 27 runs and 4 SBs

Pat Burrell: .234-.343-.421 with 7 HRs, 21 RBIs and 17 runs

Beltran would look pretty good in the Giants outfield and in the middle of the Giants order. Couple this with the fact that Giants first baseman Aubrey Huff is also having a down year, and the Giants need becomes more pronounced.

The Giants are built to win now and are currently in first place in the NL West, so targeting Beltran makes all the sense in the world. Beltran comes with injury risk, but he has shown no signs of injury this season. A package headed by top outfield prospect Gary Brown should get the talks started on the Mets end of the phone, as the Mets are in a bit of rebuild right now. Brown could cover plenty of ground in the Mets outfield and replace Jose Reyes as the Mets leadoff hitter in a few years should Reyes leave via free agency.

Should the Mets deal Beltran, I see Lucas Duda taking over in right field and can provide a power bat for fantasy owners in NL-only leagues. He is not rosterable in mixed leagues.

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Should the Giants target Carlos Beltran?

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Comments

They should definately target him

but if what I’m hearing is accurate, the Mets would likely cover Beltran’s salary for the rest of the season in any deal, so the Giants would be getting a top outfielder for free and after the season if they couldn’t re-sign him he would presumably be a type A free agent giving them an extra first round pick. Brown was the 24th pick last year and is about the quality of player that a type A would bring back. This may be the Mets fan in me but I think Beltran and picks next year is worth more than a deal headed by Brown. The Blue Jays got Lawrie for Marcum, and I think Beltran is worth just as much as Marcum was last off season if not more. Obviously Lawrie’s stock has vastly improved his stock this season but I think Beltran should bring back about what he was worth at the beginning of the season (top 50 prospect). There has been some talk about Belt but Ike Davis is the long term 1B plan. I think Wheeler makes the most sense. If they somehow wind up getting Wheeler and Brown then we’ll know just how badly the Giants want to win now.

by revans on Jul 14, 2011 9:22 AM EDT reply actions

re

If the Giants gave up Wheeler alone for Beltran, that would be an overpay. No way they give up Wheeler AND somebody else. Unless that somebody else is named Aaron Rowand.

by rmarx on Jul 14, 2011 10:51 AM EDT up reply actions

Well

first off I didn’t realize that Beltran couldn’t be offered arbitration as Ray pointed out below, but even with that I think we have a shot at Wheeler. Beltran with his salary paid for the year is pretty valuable, and if Alderson can create a bidding war, then he could get some quality offers.

by revans on Jul 14, 2011 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Beltran

has clause in his contract that says he can’t be offered arbitration, no? i think I read that somewhere.
so no arbitration means no draft picks.

Ray Guilfoyle
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by Ray Guilfoyle on Jul 14, 2011 11:17 AM EDT reply actions

Ah

didn’t realize there was a no arbitration clause. That certainly brings down his value, but I don’t get why he would have that, can’t a player just reject arbitration and have not negative effect? in fact, rejecting arbitration instead of not being offered makes a player more valuable to a team since they get the picks. I understand the desire to not be a type A/B free agent. You know what. I guess it increases your value to the team that had you by the same amount it decreases it to your new signing team and gives you less flexibility of who to sign with. Just answered my own question.

by revans on Jul 14, 2011 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions

I think this would really improve there chances.

They have the pitcing we all no, lincecum, cain, baumgardner, zito. They need there problem is offense. Sandoval and huff and good but they need more bats and more power. I think Beltran would add a nice piece a 3,4,5 of sandoval beltran and huff would be acceptable with there pitching.

by Jt Malley on Jul 14, 2011 3:49 PM EDT reply actions