San Francisco Giants Trade Rumors: 7 Reasons Carlos Beltran Is the Perfect Fit

Barrett HansenJun 7, 2018

Carlos Beltran has to be the San Francisco Giants' No. 1 target at the trade deadline.

San Francisco currently has one of the worst run-scoring offenses in the majors. The All-Star right fielder is the offensive punch the Giants need to contend in the NL down the stretch.

Here are seven reasons why Carlos Beltran is the perfect fit in the City by the Bay.

7. Relatively Cheap

1 of 7

Right now, Francisco Peguero is the name popping up most frequently as Beltran trade bait.

The 23-year-old Dominican product is currently playing in Double-A Richmond, where he's hitting .278/.292/.426.

According to Baseball America, Peguero is San Francisco's highest-rated minor league position player outside of 2010 first-round pick Gary Brown, who is reportedly off-limits.

Peguero is without a doubt a top prospect, and would be a great addition to San Francisco's team.

But Cody Ross, Nate Schierholtz and Andres Torres are already taking up space in the outfield. Brandon Belt will soon figure into the mix, Gary Brown is just a couple years away, and 2010 second-round pick Jarrett Parker is starting to pick up the pace in San Jose.

Add in that Carlos Beltran could be signed to an extension, and it's easy to see that San Francisco's outfield will do just fine without Peguero.

6. Postseason Heroics

2 of 7

San Francisco will need some offensive magic again in 2011 if it hopes to make a run at the penant.

In the 2004 postseason, Beltran hit .435 and slugged eight homers to help the Houston Astros make the NLCS, where they eventually lost to the St. Louis Cardinals.

Beltran might be able to repeat his postseason heroics if traded midseason to a contender this year, just as he was in 2004.

5. Less Pressure on Nate Schierholtz

3 of 7

Amidst all the injuries, Nate Schierholtz has emerged as one of San Francisco's only everyday players.

With a scorching .361 average since June 1, Nate the Great has been a power source in the middle of the Giants' lineup.

San Francisco should be wary, though, to place its hopes on the shoulders of a 27-year-old outfielder who is just now having a season close to his potential after four years of underachieving.

Adding another legitimate outfielder would give the Giants options. Either start Beltran in left or center and let him and Schierholtz both play, or have Beltran play in right field, which would limit Nate the Great's at-bats.

Either way, San Francisco gives itself a better chance to maintain a high level of production from its outfielders.

4. So That Phillies or Braves Don't Get Him

4 of 7

Last year, the Giants claimed Cody Ross off waivers primarily so that the Padres wouldn't get him.

It worked out pretty well for the Giants, mostly for other reasons. The fact remains, though, that there is value in making a move to prevent a competitor from improving.

San Francisco will likely face Atlanta or Philadelphia in the playoffs, if not the pair. Both squads are fearsome enough as is, and it might be worth making a move for Beltran simply to prevent either of them from snagging the All-Star right fielder.

3. Power, Especially Against Lefties

5 of 7

The Giants currently rank 26th in the majors with 3.62 runs per game—it's safe to say San Francisco needs some offensive help.

The assistance needs to primarily come against lefties—the Giants outfield currently has four home runs as a group.

Carlos Beltran on his own has eight home runs against left-handed pitching, and 15 total on the year. Nine of those 15 have come in the spacious confines of Citi Field.

Beltran has proven that he can hit for power even in pitchers' parks, and therefore should have no problem on the shores of McCovey Cove.

His presence will have a veritable impact on an anemic Giants offense, immediately making them much more dynamic.

2. Protect the Panda

6 of 7

Currently batting .303, Pablo Sandoval is San Francisco's only legitimate batting threat.

The typical Giants' lineup has a middle infielder like Brandon Crawford, Manny Burriss, Mike Fontenot or now Jeff Keppinger batting ahead of the Panda, and either an anemic Aubrey Huff or a streaky Nate Schierholtz behind him.

The All Star third baseman would be a lot more effective if he could slide down in the order—he has a .356/.433/.627 line when batting fifth—and have guys on base to knock in.