Carlos Beltran sweepstakes

[HMFFL]

The Phillies appear to be at least an early favorite in the Carlos Beltran sweepstakes that's drawn interest from as many as 10 teams. Philadelphia has suggested publicly that it doesn't want to add payroll, but it has the prospects to get a deal done. The Mets have signaled a willingness to pay some or all of the $7 million or so remaining on Beltran's salary, and Philly isn't averse to the surprise move (see Lee, Cliff).

Here is a rundown of the Beltran suitors:

1. Phillies. Look like the clear favorite at the moment. Arguably baseball's best team needs to balance its lineup. Very capable of surprises (they are also connected to Rockies star Ubaldo Jimenez even though they have baseball's rotation top). Their resistance to exceeding baseball's $170 million luxury tax threshold could be allayed by the Mets paying Beltran's salary. Even if they won't surrender Brown, "they have arms,'' one scout said. But Brown would fit in rightfield as Beltran's replacement in New York.

2. Red Sox. They have been calling on outfielders, and top Boston exec Allard Baird was the one who welcomed Beltran to the big leagues while he was the Royals GM. Like Philly, they could use a bit of help from the right side.

3. Braves. They seek a big bat to augment a lineup that's been hurt by the lack of production from Dan Uggla (though he homered twice off Ubaldo Jimenez Tuesday night) and some absences. Beltran would be a nice fit. As for their prospects, one scout said, "They have good pitching.''

4. Giants. They've needed offensive help seemingly forever yet muddled through and won a World Series without a lineup full of imposing bats. Minnesota's Michael Cuddyer is believed to be the Giants' other top choice, but the Twins still appear to be going for it in the wide open AL Central. San Francisco got Cody Ross on the cheap last summer, and he was a key to their championship. The Giants do not like to trade prospects, however.

5. Tigers. They are looking for either an outfielder or third baseman and are said to be hoping to add a pitcher and a bat.

6. Brewers. They showed their aggressive nature already by landing Francisco Rodriguez in a trade with the Mets, and could either use Beltran in center or move speedy Corey Hart there, This one's a long shot as Milwaukee is focused on the left side of its infield at the moment.

7. Indians. The American League's surprise team is determined to add an outfield bat. But with Beltran holding veto power, he could easily force his way to a team that's more of a sure thing.

8. Rangers. They are aggressive and will consider anything. But they already have by far the best offense in their division and are more likely to use their excellent farm system to bolster their rotation and bullpen.

9. Pirates. Great, great story. And they have called the Mets. But as a Beltran pursuer, they are probably a real long shot. He does have the no-trade, and may not have gotten caught up yet in all the excitement in the Steel City.

10. Yankees. They called awhile back. But they say they aren't currently in the Beltran market and would call upon top prospect Jesus Montero if they needed a hitter later. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/w ... =hp_t12_a2

[Nemesis21]

I'm not willing to give up any of Teheran, Vizcaino, Delgado, Beachy, Minor for a 3 month rental.

[ohara]

If we had a 48 hour window in which to negotiate an extension, then I would move Beachy or Minor for him. But none of the ones you mentioned if this was only a 3 month rental.

[Superiorblogman]

I would pass on him. He is more of a name than bat IMO. There are others that will come cheaper that are better for us.

[HMFFL]

I'd have to pass on him as a long-term option because he's currently 34 years old and I prefer us to go younger with someone who is proven and has the ability to become an All-Star for many years. The last we need to do is give him an outrageous contract that he's going to end up getting from another team.

[Nemesis21]

Word is NYM asked for Vizcaino or Delgado for Beltran, Braves only willing to deal Minor for Beltran.

Also a lot of teams that have called on Pence, say Houston is asking for a ton.

May not get either after all.

[TheKingofSting]

I don't think we should give up Delgado.

[Nemesis21]

Olney now says Braves lead for Beltran, NYM scouts were at the Gwinnett game last night to scout Minor.

http://bit.ly/mVWj57



I'm still undecided on Beltran, wouldn't give up any of JT, Viz, Delgado for a 3 month rental. Not sure I'd even trade Beachy or Minor for that 3 month rental. Then say whoever was traded to Mets, develops well and we face them 5 or 6 times per season, being that NYM are in our division. Beachy and Minor both have potential to be a solid #3 or # 4 in a 5 man rotation.

[Superiorblogman]

Hate to sound redundant but we should pass on him. Trading young prospects for this guy would be about as bad as trading 2 1st round draft picks and taking on more salary for Kirk Hinrich and still only getting to the 2nd round like you had the 2 previous years. Gave away a lot of your future to go to the same place presently. Only way we can justify giving up anything of significance for a guy his age that will have his contract demands is to get back to the world series, which is possible, but I would not do it.

[TheKingofSting]

Olney now says Braves lead for Beltran, NYM scouts were at the Gwinnett game last night to scout Minor.

http://bit.ly/mVWj57



I'm still undecided on Beltran, wouldn't give up any of JT, Viz, Delgado for a 3 month rental. Not sure I'd even trade Beachy or Minor for that 3 month rental. Then say whoever was traded to Mets, develops well and we face them 5 or 6 times per season, being that NYM are in our division. Beachy and Minor both have potential to be a solid #3 or # 4 in a 5 man rotation.

Where would he play when Chipper returns? Send McLouth to the bench and Schafer back down?

[Nemesis21]

Olney now says Braves lead for Beltran, NYM scouts were at the Gwinnett game last night to scout Minor.

http://bit.ly/mVWj57



I'm still undecided on Beltran, wouldn't give up any of JT, Viz, Delgado for a 3 month rental. Not sure I'd even trade Beachy or Minor for that 3 month rental. Then say whoever was traded to Mets, develops well and we face them 5 or 6 times per season, being that NYM are in our division. Beachy and Minor both have potential to be a solid #3 or # 4 in a 5 man rotation.

Where would he play when Chipper returns? Send McLouth to the bench and Schafer back down?

Yup, Schafer still has options, Nate does not. It's a given this is Nate's last season as a Brave, They will not pick up his $6.5 mill option next yr. Jordan is improving but still not hitting and getting on base like we need him to, his OBP is .300 and avg is below .250, we need him to have an OBP of .320 +. Next yr Nate will be gone as well as Beltran, so Schafer returns to CF in 2012, more time in Gwinnett won't hurt him, remember it was not long ago he had a serious wrist injury.


If this scenario happens, Prado can lead off.

Prado
Heyward
Chipper
Mac
Beltran
Uggla
Freeman
Gonzalez

Bench- Ross, Hinske, Nate, Brooks, Lugo

[HMFFL]

Mark Bradley: I don’t like trading pitching, but I’d swap Mike Minor for Beltran

The Braves have cause to beware the prospect(s)-for-rental-player trade. They’ve been burned twice this century: Once in December 2003, when they shipped Jason Marquis and Adam Wainwright to St. Louis for a year’s worth of J.D. Drew, and again in July 2007 when they sent the entire farm system — OK, not really — to Texas for 364 days of Mark Teixeira’s services.

And now, another trade deadline close at hand, we here have reason to ponder the merits of another rumored young-for-old swap. The Mets are looking to divest themselves of Carlos Beltran, who will become a free agent at season’s end. (And if you’re thinking the Braves might have a chance to keep Beltran longer-term, forget it. His agent, as was the case with Drew and Teixeira, is Scott Boras.)

The Mets have money problems the fallout from Bernie Madoff’s Ponzi scheme and aren’t looking for big names. They’re in need of cheap young arms. The Braves have ‘em. It has been reported that the Mets dispatched a scout to watch Mike Minor work for Gwinnett against Louisville on Thursday. (Might not have been the best night to catch him: Six innings, 10 hits, six runs, three earned.)

We ask: Two months plus postseason of Beltran against the next five years of Minor — would you do it?

I would. http://blogs.ajc.com/mark-bradley-blog/ ... r-beltran/

[Nemesis21]

Mark Bradley: I don’t like trading pitching, but I’d swap Mike Minor for Beltran

The Braves have cause to beware the prospect(s)-for-rental-player trade. They’ve been burned twice this century: Once in December 2003, when they shipped Jason Marquis and Adam Wainwright to St. Louis for a year’s worth of J.D. Drew, and again in July 2007 when they sent the entire farm system — OK, not really — to Texas for 364 days of Mark Teixeira’s services.

And now, another trade deadline close at hand, we here have reason to ponder the merits of another rumored young-for-old swap. The Mets are looking to divest themselves of Carlos Beltran, who will become a free agent at season’s end. (And if you’re thinking the Braves might have a chance to keep Beltran longer-term, forget it. His agent, as was the case with Drew and Teixeira, is Scott Boras.)

The Mets have money problems the fallout from Bernie Madoff’s Ponzi scheme and aren’t looking for big names. They’re in need of cheap young arms. The Braves have ‘em. It has been reported that the Mets dispatched a scout to watch Mike Minor work for Gwinnett against Louisville on Thursday. (Might not have been the best night to catch him: Six innings, 10 hits, six runs, three earned.)

We ask: Two months plus postseason of Beltran against the next five years of Minor — would you do it?

I would. http://blogs.ajc.com/mark-bradley-blog/ ... r-beltran/

I wouldn't, as I've said before IF it was Beltran +, ie Beltran and Parnell for Minor and one of Hoover/Spurill/Redmond, then I'd do it.

[HMFFL]

Mark Bradley: I don’t like trading pitching, but I’d swap Mike Minor for Beltran

The Braves have cause to beware the prospect(s)-for-rental-player trade. They’ve been burned twice this century: Once in December 2003, when they shipped Jason Marquis and Adam Wainwright to St. Louis for a year’s worth of J.D. Drew, and again in July 2007 when they sent the entire farm system — OK, not really — to Texas for 364 days of Mark Teixeira’s services.

And now, another trade deadline close at hand, we here have reason to ponder the merits of another rumored young-for-old swap. The Mets are looking to divest themselves of Carlos Beltran, who will become a free agent at season’s end. (And if you’re thinking the Braves might have a chance to keep Beltran longer-term, forget it. His agent, as was the case with Drew and Teixeira, is Scott Boras.)

The Mets have money problems the fallout from Bernie Madoff’s Ponzi scheme and aren’t looking for big names. They’re in need of cheap young arms. The Braves have ‘em. It has been reported that the Mets dispatched a scout to watch Mike Minor work for Gwinnett against Louisville on Thursday. (Might not have been the best night to catch him: Six innings, 10 hits, six runs, three earned.)

We ask: Two months plus postseason of Beltran against the next five years of Minor — would you do it?

I would. http://blogs.ajc.com/mark-bradley-blog/ ... r-beltran/

I wouldn't, as I've said before IF it was Beltran +, ie Beltran and Parnell for Minor and one of Hoover/Spurill/Redmond, then I'd do it.

I have mixed feelings because I want a World Series so badly and Beltran can help us win one. The risk is high, but I would probably pass if Minor has to be involved, so we'll see what occurs.

[ohara]

Per ESPN Insider, the Braves will not trade Monor for Beltan.

[HMFFL]

I think we're out of this race and it's down to Philly or San Fran.

[Nemesis21]

I think we're out of this race and it's down to Philly or San Fran.

Actually it's Giants and Rangers out front, Braves still interested, Philly has cooled off.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/atlanta_braves/index.html

[TheKingofSting]

Unless asking price lowers then I hope we're out.

[Nemesis21]

Beltran to Giants trade almost done,

http://twitter.com/#!/Buster_ESPN

[ohara]

Buster says the Giants are about to close the deal and get Beltran. Once he goes, with Rasmus off the market as well (even tho a lefty) looks like it is Upton or nothing much. Wren will have to live with it if we are inactive and start to fade.