MLB Trade Rumors: Carlos Beltran Watch

If you've been paying attention to the myriad MLB trade rumors floating around right now, you're probably well aware that Mets outfielder Carlos Beltran is in demand.

At last check, it seemed like just about every team that still has a shot at winning its division is in on the Beltran sweepstakes. That's obviously very good news for the Mets, as it essentially gives them an excuse to start a bidding war to end all bidding wars.

But which team will actually end up with Beltran?

Well, it's sounding more and more like the Philadelphia Phillies are making the biggest push to land Beltran. It's a little weird seeing as how the two teams are division rivals, but the Phillies' interest in Beltran makes sense given their offensive struggles.

However, the Phillies will probably have to part with their best prospect in order to land Beltran. According to SI.com's Jon Heyman, a couple sources are confident that the Mets would ask for 23-year-old outfielder Domonic Brown, who has done a pretty decent job as Philly's everyday right fielder. The only issue is that he is a lefty in a lineup that could really use a righty, a need that a switch hitter like Beltran is obviously more apt to fill.

If the Mets do actually ask for Brown, it's going to be a tough call for the Phillies. Brown is one of the best prospects in all of baseball, and he projects as a future All-Star. Beltran may be the best bat on the market, but he's an injury-prone 34-year-old with a contract that expires at the end of the year. Phillies GM Ruben Amaro would have to decide just how much acquiring Beltran would help his team's World Series outlook, which is already pretty good.

The Phillies may be the favorite to land Beltran, but there are plenty of other teams that the Mets can deal with if the Phillies get cold feet. The Boston Red Sox are apparently very much in the picture, and the San Francisco Giants have been for a while now.

Because their rotation is a mess, Boston's interest in Beltran and his bat is also a little odd. Then again, they do need to do something about their right field situation (J.D. Drew has been awful), and Beltran would definitely fit the bill.

On Tuesday, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reported that the Red Sox are one of the most aggressive suitors for Beltran's services (the other being the Phillies), saying that they viewed him as a difference-maker both now and in the postseason. On Wednesday, however, Alex Speiers of WEEI.com reported that the Sox have merely had "preliminary discussions" with the Mets about Beltran. If true, it sounds like GM Theo Epstein is merely doing his due diligence on Beltran, which is not surprising given his track record.

For what it's worth, Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston.com says that the Mets have been "heavily scouting" Boston's system. Apparently, they really like outfielder Ryan Kalish, shortstop Jose Iglesias, third baseman Will Middlebrooks, and pitchers Anthony Ranaudo and Felix Doubront. After the Adrian Gonzalez trade, these players basically represent what's left of Boston's farm system. They would probably prefer to leave good enough alone.

As for the Giants, it sounds like they too may not be a likely trade partner for the Mets. Giants GM Brian Sabean said on Tuesday that he was working on something big, but Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle tweeted last night that Sabean's scheme does not involve Beltran. Seeing as how Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News reported on Tuesday that Sabean does not want to trade any of the team's top prospects, it looks like the Giants are out of the running entirely.

With the Sox and Giants apparently just lingering in the Beltran race, the next logical team is the Atlanta Braves. They need some thump in their lineup as much as any team, and Beltran would obviously be a great addition. And because the Braves have a wealth of talented young arms, they would definitely be able to meet the Mets' lofty asking price.

Alas, that's also something of a dilemma. As Mark Bowman of MLB.com notes, the Braves are going to be hesitant to make a deal that would "significantly help a division rival’s future," especially if it means getting a mere rental in return.

After the above four teams, it's pretty much the Wild West. Heyman notes that the Tigers, Brewers, Indians, Rangers, Pirates, and Yankees could all make a play for Beltran, and any one of them could end up with him if any of the aforementioned four teams don't want to hand over their farm systems for Beltran. This is, of course, assuming Beltran makes good on his willingness to waive his no-trade clause.

When you put the big picture in focus, it’s clear that the interest level for Beltran’s services is definitely sky-high. Indeed, who wouldn’t want a switch-hitting outfielder with 14 bombs and 59 RBI?

At the same time, Beltran’s status as a rental player appears to be something of a problem. The chief concern is the same as that of all rental players: if a team is only going to have him for a couple months, why give up one or several of their best prospects to get him? If a team were to acquire him, it would have to be World Series or bust.

If you ask me, that’s exactly why you can expect the Phillies to go get him. That’s not insider info, mind you, but it’s definitely something to chew on.