MLB Trade Rumors: 10 Players the Mets Could Receive for Carlos Beltran

There has been a lot of talk recently that the New York Mets will trade Carlos Beltran before the trade deadline this season. The Mets have said that they will pay most, if not all, of Beltran's salary.

New York hopes to acquire a Grade A prospect for Beltran if they pay his salary. Beltran has been linked to more than half a dozen teams so far this season.

Moving Beltran will help the Mets in the future, especially if they get the type of prospect they are looking for in return.

Domonic Brown

Jon Heyman wondered if the Mets would insist on Domonic Brown in return for Carlos Beltran. The Phillies could certainly use outfield help and Brown would be a big help to the Mets in the future.

Coming into the season, Brown was ranked as the fourth best prospect in the game by Baseball America. He has struggled a bit in the majors this year, but acquiring him would be a huge steal for the Mets.

Mike Minor

The New York Mets are in need of pitching help and the Atlanta Braves could use another outfielder to make a playoff run. These two rivals don't make trades often, but they could each benefit from a deal.

Peter Gammons has suggested that the Mets may be able to receive Mike Minor in addition to another prospect in return for Beltran. This move would certainly help out the Mets in the future. By moving Minor, the Braves would also have one less pitcher that is competing for a rotation spot with Julio Teheran.

Ryan Lavarnway

It is looking less and less certain that Josh Thole is the answer behind the plate for the New York Mets. However, they could find a potential replacement in Ryan Lavarnway if they trade Carlos Beltran to Boston.

The Red Sox have been connected to the Mets in regards to Beltran and the Mets will likely be able to get a top prospect from them. Lavarnway can hit for power, something that is desperately needed in the Mets lineup.

Drake Britton

As was mentioned in the last slide, the Red Sox are one of the teams that have been pursuing Carlos Beltran. The Mets are looking for a top prospect in return.

Drake Britton could be a player that the Red Sox ship to the Mets. Britton was a top-100 prospect coming into the season, but has struggled mightily this year.

Photo Credit: Sox Prospects

Tony Sanchez

The Pittsburgh Pirates have been the biggest surprise in baseball this year. They are looking to add a player or two in order to help them make their first playoff push in over a decade.

Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review has said that the Pirates have rated Beltran as the best available hitter. Tony Sanchez, a young catching prospect, is a great fit for the Mets if they pay Beltran's salary in a deal to the Pirates.

Photo Credit: Hard Ball Talk

Starling Marte

The Pirates' young, toolsy outfield prospect is another player that could be acquired by the Mets if they deal Beltran to Pittsburgh. Marte is the type of player who would be a force to be reckoned with at the top of the Mets lineup with Jose Reyes.

One issues is that Beltran may not waive his no-trade clause to go to Pittsburgh. This clause makes it much more difficult for the Pirtates to try to acquire him.

Francisco Peguero

The San Francisco Giants have also been discussed as a possible landing spot for Carlos Beltran. However, Giants GM Brain Sabean has said that Zach Wheeler and Brandon Belt are untouchable.

One Giants prospect that would fit with the Mets is Francisco Peguero. He missed part of the season with an injury, but he has been impressive in limited playing time. Peguero could be ready for the majors in a few years. 

Thomas Neal

If the Mets are looking for an outfield prospect in a deal for Carlos Beltran, they could look to acquire Thomas Neal from the Giants. The Giants prospect has begun to show that he can be an MLB regular.

Neal has jumped from High-A ball to Triple-A in the past three years. He looks like he might be ready to get some at-bats in the majors during the 2012 season.

Jacob Turner

John Morosi of Fox has tweeted that the Detroit Tigers are taking a serious look at Carlos Beltran. It is believe that the Tigers are one of the teams that Beltran would waive his no-trade clause for.

The one Tigers prospect that the Mets would likely go after is Jacob Turner. A young pitching prospect, Turner could anchor the top of the Mets rotation for years to come. If they can not get Turner, the Mets may also look at Andrew Oliver.

Neil Ramirez

The Texas Rangers are in contention for the AL Central title this year. Jon Heyman has reported that the Rangers have been interested in Carlos Beltran.

Beltran may not waive his no-trade clause to go to Texas, but if he does, the Mets will have a few prospects to choose from. The Rangers have an elite farm system and could give up the high-quality talent that the Mets are looking for. Neil Ramirez has been very impressive this year and with the Rangers' pitching depth, the Rangers could trade him for Beltran.

Photo Credit: MiLB