New York Yankees Trade Speculation: What Would It Take to Get Carlos Beltran?

Sandy Alderson and the New York Mets figured that by putting out word that they would be willing to pick up the remaining money on Carlos Beltran's contract, they would be able to demand a top prospect in return.

Unfortunately for the Mets, at least three of the teams who are rumored to remain in the race to acquire the talented switch-hitter—the Philadelphia Phillies, Atlanta Braves and San Francisco Giants—do not seem inclined to surrender that much for a two-month rental, one that will not net them compensatory draft picks should he leave as a free agent.

So names the Mets had supposedly targeted—Domonic Brown of the Phillies, Mike Minor of the Braves and Gary Brown and Zach Wheeler of the Giants could easily no longer be realistic options for Alderson.

Which brings us to the Yankees.

Wallace Matthews of ESPN NY believes that the Yankees should turn their focus from another starting pitcher to another bat, even at the cost of Jesus Montero or Ivan Nova.

The only potential impact starting pitcher available is Ubaldo Jimenez, and how available he really is remains up for debate.

We discussed Jimenez and the incredibly high price it would take to acquire him earlier this week.The price is simply too high.

In the same story, we touched on Carlos Beltran, where it had been reported by multiple sources that the Yankees simply had no interest.

Now Beltran has stated his desire to remain in the National League, but also says he is not totally opposed to switching leagues and would not necessarily refuse to waive his no-trade clause.

Would he waive it to join a team with as good a chance to win the World Series as anyone?

I find it highly doubtful that the Mets would have any interest in Montero. He is a hitter without a position, something they already have in Daniel Murphy.

But Nova could make this trade a win-win for both teams.

With the dearth of impact starting pitching on the market, some would think it foolish to trade someone who showed he belonged earlier this season in Nova, especially considering the many question marks that currently surround the rotation.

Beltran would add much-needed depth to the Yankees lineup and is easily slotted anywhere from second to sixth in the batting order.

Beltran's arrival would result in a reduced role for a fan favorite in Nick Swisher, who has been hot the past month, hitting .308 with 3 HR and 19 RBI.

But there is no debate—Carlos Beltran is a better player than Nick Swisher.

While pitching wins championships, the Yankees championship aspirations may be better served by smaller tweaks to the starting rotation (Erik Bedard) and adding an impact bat who could speed up the process of getting into the opposition's bullpen earlier then they currently are.

Ivan Nova could easily fall victim to the numbers game in Spring Training 2012, finding himself on the outside of a potentially crowded Yankee rotation should Dellin Betances and Manny Banuelos stick with the team.

He immediately becomes one of the Mets most reliable starters and a building block to move forward with.

Beltran joins a team that is trying to win this year and gets to remain in New York, resulting in zero inconvenience for him off of the field.

This trade makes a great deal of sense for both teams and both players.