MLB Trade Rumors: Why Carlos Beltran Should Be a Priority for the Atlanta Braves

If the Atlanta Braves are series about contending for a World Series title, they better find a way to acquire New York Mets right fielder, Carlos Beltran before the Philadelphia Phillies, San Francisco Giants or Texas Rangers beat them to it.

The Braves are in the bottom five in the majors in batting average and on-base percentage. They are, however, in the top five in home runs, but they need to start getting more people on base for their power hitters. 

It's clear Atlanta needs hitters, and they have made it known in the past few weeks they are in the market for a right-handed hitting outfielder.

Enter Carlos Beltran, who, with an OBP of .389, would immediately top the Braves in that category. Beltran has been killing the ball lately, hitting .321 with five homers in the last month.

He would serve as an immediate upgrade to a lacking Braves lineup. 

As important as it is for the Braves do so, it is just as important to block the Phillies and Giants from upgrading theirs.

The Braves' pitching staff has been absolutely amazing this season, and has kept them in the playoff race. But they still aren't on par with Philly and San Fran's staff. They just aren't. Atlanta won't be able to out-pitch teams in the playoffs. 

As much as they don't want to, Atlanta has to outbid the Phillies and Giants. There is no way they (or probably any other team, for that matter) will be able to compete with Philadelphia or San Francisco if they acquire Beltran.

So what does that bid have to be?

The Mets have been continually asking for top prospects, but they have been denied by pretty much every team, considering that Beltran would be just a half-season rental.

However, according to Jon Heyman, the Mets' price appears to be lowering, and top prospect Mike Minor is out of the mix.

So what we have is an All-Star switch-hitter, whose contract will be paid off by the Mets and who won't demand a top prospect in return.

What exactly isn't to like here?

I realize that Beltran is a rental, and teams don't like to give up prospects for someone who won't be there in a couple of months, but this is a necessity.

Beltran is getting moved this deadline, and now that the Mets aren't asking for top prospects, the price is probably as low as it will get.

Expect talks to heat up big time in the next 24 hours (obviously), and if the Braves don't make a deal happen, they will be sorry come October.