MLB Trade Rumors: Odds on Each of the Favorite Teams Getting Carlos Beltran

While Ubaldo Jimenez trade rumors have really gained steam as of late, Carlos Beltran is still the biggest name who is most likely to be traded.

Beltran is easily the best bat available. He's a switch-hitter, and the Mets are willing to pick up the rest of his contract to maximize return value.

Plenty of teams have been linked to Beltran, but the situation is still murky as ever.

Who the Mets' trade partner will be will obviously come down to who can offer the most, but don't forget that Beltran still has the power to veto any trade he wants.

So while the deal has to be right, the team also has to be a legitimate contender.

Here's a look at those contenders, and what their chances are of landing the right fielder. 

New York Yankees

Nick Swisher in right field. Brett Gardner in left. Curtis Granderson in center. 

The New York Yankees have the money and prospects to get Carlos Beltran, but he's simply not a good fit. They are better served using their top prospects to get a pitcher. 

Odds: 75 to 1 

Milwaukee Brewers

The Milwaukee Brewers have apparently expressed interest in Carlos Beltran, but I just don't see it happening.

They've already made one trade with the Mets for reliever Francisco Rodriguez, and another major one is highly unlikely.

Also, for the most part, the Brewers seem to be more interested in an infielder.

Odds: 60 to 1  

Boston Red Sox

Interest on Carlos Beltran from the Boston Red Sox has been mild, as they are probably more interested in acquiring Jose Reyes at this point.

While fans are growing tired of J.D. Drew in right field, Josh Reddick has filled in more than admirably, hitting .347 with four home runs and 18 RBI in just 75 at bats. It's a small sample size, but the Sox seem confident with a platoon of Drew and Reddick in right going forward. 

The Red Sox have the pieces to acquire Beltran, and they are obviously always contenders.

However, because they have more important needs (shortstop and pitcher), they won't go all out for Beltran and thus will get outbid.

Odds: 35 to 1

Update:

OK, at first I read that the Red Sox had shown mild interest, but now it appears they have been one of the most aggressive teams going for Beltran.

I'd bump up those odds considerably if that's true, but probably still keep them out of the top three of the Phillies, Giants and Braves.   

Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates have had a storybook season, but trading for Carlos Beltran wouldn't be their style.

According to Jennifer Langosch, the Pirates are looking for a reliever and a hitter.

They are, however, going to "kick the tires" on Beltran.

If the Mets take on Beltran's salary, the Bucs, with their tiny payroll, could obviously afford him.

But they have showed they can win with the small-market guys, and bringing in Beltran could disrupt the team chemistry.

If the Pirates go after someone at the deadline, they would be best served not breaking the bank.

They can compete with the team they have now, so why hurt the farm system, into which they will likely have to keep dipping for more talent?

Odds: 30 to 1  

Cleveland Indians

The Cleveland Indians sit atop the AL Central by one game, and they just lost Grady Sizemore.

They could certainly use some help in the outfield. 

As a small-market team, they originally didn't appear to have the funds to acquire someone like Beltran, but with news that the Mets would pay the rest of his contract in order to maximize the return value, the Indians are suddenly in contention.

Cleveland quite possibly has a top-10 farm system, so they certainly have the pieces to trade for Beltran.

But the question remains: Would Beltran, who has full trade rights, veto the trade?

He has said that he only wants to go to a contender, and while I fully realize that the Indians are very legitimate contenders right now, does he look at Cleveland and worry about the quality of their players?

It's unfortunate, but many people outside of Cleveland, seeing their small payroll, consistently wait for the day they drop off.

Whether Beltran thinks this way or not, it decreases the Indians' odds a bit.

Odds: 20 to 1 

Detroit Tigers

While the Detroit Tigers could use an outfielder, they have been focusing their attention lately on shoring up their rotation.

Still though, the Tigers, who are just one game out in the central, have been one of the hottest names linked to Beltran, according to SI's Jon Heyman.

Detroit has the funds and the need to make a trade happen, Beltran would likely allow it, and while the Tigers aren't a sexy name in the media, they are in the right situation to make it happen.

Odds: 15 to 1 

Atlanta Braves

Despite major offensive struggles, the Atlanta Braves are just two-and-a-half games behind the Philadelphia Phillies in the NL East and lead the wild card. 

This speaks to both how terrific their pitching has been and the probability of their dealing for a bat at the deadline.

Nate McLouth and Jordan Schafer have both been inconsistent throughout the year, and Beltran is a good bet to replace them.

Additionally, the Braves would like to add a leadoff hitter, and with their current power in the middle of the lineup, Beltran could conceivably hit first. Atlanta would be smart to pursue this idea.  

Also, with one of the best farm systems in the majors, the Braves, who are constantly turning out new talent, easily have the pieces for a trade. 

Odds: 10 to 1

San Francisco Giants

They wouldn't be the San Francisco Giants if they didn't make some considerable noise at the trade deadline.

Last year, they made all the might moves to get themselves a World Series, and this year, they might do it again. 

Carlos Beltran would be light years better than any of the Giants' current outfielders, and he would most likely put them over the top in their race with the Arizona Diamondbacks in the NL West. 

The Giants' farm system, on the other, is considerably weaker than some other contenders on this list, and that could hurt them in negotiations. 

Odds: 8 to 1 

Philadelphia Phillies

The Philadelphia Phillies have been mentioned as one of the most likely suitors for Carlos Beltran, but where would they put him?

They have Raul Ibanez in left, Shane Victorino in center, and young Domonic Brown in right. My guess is that he would take Ibanez's spot, because replacing the other two just doesn't make much sense.

Still though, as much as it doesn't make sense to me, the Phillies have been linked to Beltran as much as anyone else, and if they do need something, it's certainly not starting pitching.

The Mets have said they would trade Beltran within the NL East, so that's not a problem here, and the Phillies are obviously a contender, so he wouldn't veto the trade.

Add in the fact that Philadelphia has a very good farm system, and the Phillies are legitimate contenders for Beltran's services.

Odds: 8 to 1