Braves Trade Rumors: Did Carlos Beltran Hint He Doesn't Want to Play in Atlanta?

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The Atlanta Braves are one of several teams in the Carlos Beltran sweepstakes. They were thought to be one the front-runners, but recent comments made by Beltran has changed that.

The New York Mets outfielder told Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com his opinions on him being the hottest name on the trade market. He knows he's going to be traded soon, and that it's a part of the business of baseball.

However, Beltran has a few wants, and the Mets should respect that. After all, Beltran has a no-trade clause, and he has made it clear he wants to go to a contending team. At this point in his career he wants to be on a winning team, which will happen in less than a week.

Beltran told Rubin that he wants to stay in the National League and remain in right field.

Right now, I feel so comfortable with the National League. I've been here seven years. I feel comfortable here. ... It's just seven years that I haven't played in the American League. But let's see. I mean, it's going to be convenient for the organization, for sure, but it also has to be convenient for me. If it's convenient for both, we move forward.
I want to make it clear that I would love to play in the outfield. So I'm not going to an American League team to be a DH. That's something I'm not willing to do, and I'm not going to do it, because I feel it's not going to work for me.
Right now I feel so comfortable in right field and it's working so good for me that I don't want to make any change.

This would eliminate the Boston Red Sox and Texas Rangers from landing Beltran. It also makes the Braves chances of acquiring Beltran much harder.

Remember that the Braves have a young star in the making out in right field. Asking Jason Heyward to move positions in his second year in the majors would be just wrong. Beltran said he would discuss moving positions, but he really doesn't want to.

The Phillies and the Giants are the teams in the lead to obtain the rights to Beltran, and one has to believe that the Phillies are the favorite. After all, Beltran wants to win a World Series, and the Phillies are the best team in baseball right now.

Beltran didn't outright say he doesn't want to play in Atlanta, but he hinted at it. He's going to be happy playing with any playoff bound team, but the Mets are going to deal him to his No. 1 or No. 2 choice.

The Braves don't stand much of a chance anymore unless they decide to trade Julio Teheran, which isn't going to happen because he is the best pitching prospect in all of baseball.

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