MLB Trade Rumors: Carlos Beltran, B.J. Upton and 5 Players Who Could Help Giants

Carlos Beltran and B.J. Upton could provide a major lift to the porous San Francisco Giants offense.

The Giants' offense is 26th in runs, 25th in batting average, 24th in on-base percentage and 26th in slugging percentage.

San Francisco proved last season that they can win with great pitching and timely hitting. They also proved that they could find a gem in Cody Ross, a player who performed at an unbelievable level in the postseason. If they didn't go out and find that bat at the deadline, the Giants don't win the World Series.

Should they give up more prospects for Beltran or Upton, or take a chance on a Cody Ross type of player?

Here are five legitimate rumors that are flying around in the Bay Area.

No 5: Ramon Hernandez

If the Cincinnati Reds fall out of contention in the National League Central, Ramon Hernandez could be expendable. The Reds currently sit fourth in the Central with a 47-49 record.

The Giants could be one of the teams that have interest in Hernandez because of the injury to Buster Posey, earlier in the season.

Eli Whiteside and Chris Stewart have shared time since Buster Posey went down. Whiteside is hitting .237 with three home runs and 12 RBIs in 28 games played. Stewart is hitting .185 with four RBIs in 31 games played.

Hernandez has a batting average of .309 to go along with 10 home runs and 26 RBIs. The 35-year-old isn't knocking in too many runs, but has been solid, all-round, in 2011. He has just three errors in 50 games, as a catcher this season. In his career, Hernandez has 96 errors in 1,357 games played.

No 4: Melky Cabrera

Melky Cabrera is on pace to have his best statistical year of his professional career.

Career Highs

13 HR, 68 RBI, 13 SB and a .280 batting average

This Season

11 HR, 51 RBI, 14 SB and a .294 batting average

Cabrera is a switch-hitting outfielder who can play all three outfield positions, if need be. He could replace Andres Torres and Aaron Rowand in center. The two are hitting .235 and .238 respectively.

If Nate Schierholtz struggles down the stretch, which looks unlikely because he has been very solid this season posting a .291 average with seven home runs and 34 RBIs, Cabrera could play right field and provide a corner outfielder with slightly more power and RBI potential.

His playoff experience should help any team he gets traded to. He has played in 22 postseason games, including winning the World Series in 2009 with the New York Yankees.

If the Giants are looking to upgrade without giving up too much, Cabrera could be their man.

No 3: B.J. Upton

Andres Torres and Aaron Rowand have shared time in center field for the San Francisco Giants in 2012. Roward carries a .238 average, two home runs and 17 RBIs. Torres carries a .235 average, three home runs and 17 RBIs.

Five home runs and 34 RBIs isn't enough at this point in the season. They need an upgrade at that position. Enter B.J. Upton.

Upton's average is down a bit from his career numbers, but at .236 he isn't too far behind Rowand and is slightly ahead of Torres.

He has put up 15 home runs and 52 RBIs for the Tampa Bay Rays in 2011. Also, Upton's speed could vastly improve the top of the Giants' order. He has stolen 22 bases this season.

If Upton were to be traded to the Giants, he would be the leader in home runs and RBIs. Of course, a change to another league doesn't necessarily carry over one's effectiveness, but we all have saw what he has done this season.

No 2: Ivan Rodriguez

Eli Whiteside and Chris Stewart have shared duties since Buster Posey went down. Whiteside is hitting .237 with three home runs and 12 RBIs in 28 games played. Stewart is hitting .185 with four RBIs in 31 games played.

Ivan Rodriguez has switched teams more commonly in the past few years. He is now in Washington, hitting just .214 with two home runs and 19 RBIs.

He is currently on the 15-day disabled list with an oblique issue. Rodriguez looks to get back in the lineup by late July.

Would the Giants trust their catching duo of Whiteside and Stewart in the postseason? Or, will they take a chance on Rodriguez and his 40 career postseason games played?

If he can get healthy by the end of the month, the Giants may roll the dice for Rodriguez.

No 1: Carlos Beltran

The New York Mets have stated that they are willing to eat salary in order to gain better prospects in return. Are the Giants willing to give away better prospects for an often-injured Carlos Beltran?

Andres Torres and Aaron Rowand aren't providing much in center field for the Giants, which may spark more interest in trading for an outfielder. Nate Schierholtz is batting .291 with seven home runs and 34 RBIs in right field. Schierholtz has a solid average, but isn't driving in many runs. Beltran could fill their void for home runs and RBI production in the outfield.

Beltran is hitting .287 with 14 home runs and 59 RBIs. He is currently day-to-day with the flu.

The question will be asking price. Will the Mets want too much for the 34-year-old outfielder? This may cause the Giants to look elsewhere for an outfield bat.

Whatever the move may be, the Giants' pitching will have to carry the load once again. Their pitching is second in ERA (3.14), first in quality starts (63), fifth in WHIP (1.22) and first in opponent's batting average (.230).

I don't think they will have a problem carrying the load once again.