MLB Trade Rumors: Are the San Francisco Giants Looking to Add a Pricey Bat?

The San Francisco Giants have some money burning a hole in their pockets payroll flexibility and may be looking to add some thunder to their offensively-challenged lineup, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports.  

The New York Mets' Carlos Beltran has a sizable chunk of money still owed to him this year, so he isn't exactly a fit for every contender, but the somewhat flush Giants are said to be among his most serious suitors.

Beltran will have about $6 million remaining on his contract at the July 31 deadline. Many contenders can't take on that size of a burden, but the Mets could kick in cash to receive better players in return, especially now that they're relieved of K-Rod from their 2012 books. 

The Giants, Red Sox, Rays, Tigers, Indians, White Sox, Pirates and Reds are contenders that could use a corner outfield boost. The Phillies and Braves could as well, if the Mets are willing to deal with division rivals. Six or seven teams have real interest in Beltran, but the Yankees are not one of them, according to ESPN's Buster Olney.

The Giants are also said to be willing to consider other "rental players" who hit free agency after the season, but even Beltran, whose contract expires this fall, has indicated he won't be surprised if it's the Giants that seem most likely to acquire him when pressed on the issue.

The switch-hitter has a no-trade clause, but he has said on multiple occasions he would waive it under the right circumstances.

GM Brian Sabean told Chris Haft of MLB.com that, "the need to look for offense is obvious." Though Sabean doesn't expect many impact bats to be available this summer, there's a ton of of room for improvement in San Francisco's lineup:

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"We really don't have anybody with the exception of Pablo [Sandoval] who's having a good year," manager Bruce Bochy told Haft.

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The Giants are a dismal 27th in MLB with 332 runs scored this year. Though they have a three-game lead in the NL West, no winning team has even come close to scoring fewer runs.

This leads many to believe this trade scenario could be a match made in baseball heaven for all parties involved.

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