Carlos Beltran Trade Rumors: Destined to Become a San Francisco Giant?

As fans were gearing up for the start of the much-hyped 2011 MLB All-Star game out in the desert of Arizona, San Fransisco Giants closer Brian Wilson took the opportunity to stir the Carlos Beltran rumor mill while announcing the National League starting lineup.

While reading down the star-studded lineup, Wilson explained to the Fox audience that he'd love to see Beltran in Giants' orange and black.

The Giants and New York Mets have been doing plenty of negotiating involving some of the Metropolitan's biggest stars. Earlier this season, rumors swirled that the Giants were heavily pursuing the face of the Amazin's, shortstop Jose Reyes.

Those talks have settled down in recent weeks, but only because the possibility of landing the financially struggling Mets' current right fielder has taken its place. Many analysts believe New York will be having a Florida Marlins-like fire sale through this deadline, selling many of their highest paid names and with Francisco Rodriguez now a Milwaukee Brewer, Beltran seems to be the next on the list.

The trade makes sense for the Giants, considering the fact that their offense has been struggling to get across home plate. Despite being first in the NL West, they have the second-lowest runs scored in their division heading into the second half.

Beltran would certainly be an improvement over current starting right fielder Nate Schierholtz on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. Beltran has revived his career through the first half of 2011, posting a .285 batting average, 13 home runs and 58 RBI. The Mets $119 million man has been carrying his team's offense alongside Jose Reyes and would provide the Giants a much needed spark in their lineup.

What the Giants would have to give up in order to land their potential right fielder seems to be focused around their young pitchers with names like Madison Bumgarner and top-hurling prospect Zach Wheeler.

The Giants are looking to repeat as World Series Champions. Obtaining the Mets' all-star outfielder and having New York eat much of his 2011 contract seems like a fine way to achieve this goal.