MLB Trade Rumors: Carlos Beltran to the Giants or Red Sox or Remains a Met

Before one of the most boring All-Star games ever played, San Francisco Giants closer Brian Wilson told Fox Sports that his team had held talks with the financially-strapped New York Mets regarding the acquisition of outfielder Carlos Beltran.

Sports writer Tim Kawakami expresses the opinion that the Giants owe it to their fans to obtain Beltran. He argues that the Giants are "awash with money," which means that they have a responsibility to improve the team.

Kawakami correctly points out that a team, with the exception of the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox, gets the chance to defend a World Championship once in a lifetime. He believes that the 2011 Giants deserve to get help.

The contract of the best outfielder in New York (yes, a healthy Beltran is better than Curtis Granderson) includes a complete no-trade clause, but Beltran has expressed a willingness to waive it under the proper conditions.

Mets general manager Sandy Alderson claims that he is in no rush to trade Beltran, stating that the Mets position in the standings at the trading deadline will be a factor, as will the offer for Beltran. Alderson is after a top prospect.

In the final season of a seven-year, $119 million contract, the impetuses for trading Beltran are the facts that the Mets cannot offer him arbitration after this season and that they would not receive compensation if he signed with another team after becoming a free agent.

A few days ago, Beltran indicated that he would be happy to become a member of the Boston Red Sox. Speaking at the All-Star game, he told reporters:

"They're in first place. It's a no-brainer. Boston is a great team, they have a great team. Like I say, man, right now the Mets know that I have made it clear to them, I'm willing to listen if they want to trade me. All I want to be is on a team that has a chance to go to the playoffs."

With the Red Sox, Beltran could play in the outfield as well as occasionally as a designated hitter. He prefers to play the outfield since doing so would increase his value as a free agent to National League teams.

Trading Beltran would effectively end the Mets' playoff chances. He is batting .285/.377/.503 with 13 home runs and 58 RBI. Jason Pridie (.228/.289/.358) and Fernando Martinez (.227/.261/.455) are not Carlos Beltran.

Recognizing that the Mets are in dire financial straits, trading Beltran—which would amount to throwing in the towel—is probably the right thing to do.

Even if the Mets keep Beltran and make the playoffs, their chances of winning the pennant with the Giants and Philadelphia Phillies (or Atlanta Braves) in the league are not too bright.

Although miracles happen, it would be advantageous for the Mets to obtain a top prospect, free up more money to re-sign Jose Reyes this offseason, and concentrate on the future. Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee and Roy Oswalt are not getting any younger.

If their financial situation were different, the Mets could absorb losing Beltran or make a serious effort to sign him. They really don't have much of a choice other than to try to get as much as they possibly can for him in a trade.