MLB Trade Rumors: Which MLB Contender Would Carlos Beltran Prefer to Play For?

The New York Mets continue to shop Carlos Beltran around, which of course has to affect the right fielder. He continues to perform well, but mentally, all these rumors are taking a toll on him. 

When asked his opinion on all the rumors, Beltran didn't blatantly state which team he wanted to play for, but it's pretty clear where he wants to go. The Mets should respect Beltran and deal him to a place where he will be happy. 

Beltran has a no-trade clause, which means he's only going to land with a winning team. He told reporters at ESPNNewYork.com that he prefers to be traded to the National League only. 

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"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.' 

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The power hitting right fielder also made it clear that he doesn't want to switch positions. He said he is comfortable in right field, which eliminates a couple of teams from landing Beltran.

The Texas Rangers and Boston Red Sox are off the board because they would want Beltran to be a DH from time to time, and that isn't something he would like to do. 

The Atlanta Braves are also one of the front-runners in acquiring Beltran because the Mets want some of their top pitching prospects. However, Beltran won't be playing right field for the Braves.

Atlanta has a young talented star in the making out in right field named Jason Heyward, and asking him to switch positions for a rental player would just be wrong.

The Phillies or the Giants have the be the major favorites now because Beltran will be the starter out in right field if traded to either one of those teams.

The Giants have a bigger need for Beltran because their hitting isn't very consistent or strong. They rank 26th in the league in team batting, which is something that needs to be fixed.

Their pitching is carrying them, and if they expect to defend their World Series title they need to do whatever it takes to land Beltran.

However, Beltran would much prefer to be traded to the Phillies because they are the best team in baseball, and they should have no trouble reaching the World Series. Even without Beltran they could get to the World Series, but with him, their chances of winning it all greatly increase.

There isn't much time left in the Carlos Beltran sweepstakes, but the chances of trading for the Mets right fielder just got a lot harder because of his recent comments.

His no-trade clause puts him in a position of power, and because the Mets are so desperate for prospects, they'll honor Beltran's wants and trade him to whatever contender he wants.