Carlos Beltran Traded to Giants, New York Mets Steal Zack Wheeler in Return

According to the New York Times and MetsBlog, the New York Mets have agreed to send Carlos Beltran to the San Francisco Giants.  The Giants acquired the Mets outfielder in an attempt to bolster their lineup. They will also receive $4 million from the Mets.

The deal is pending approval from the both Beltran and MLB.

Beltran was one of the top commodities available on the trade market this year. The Mets were expecting a big return for Beltran, and they have received it.

In return for Beltran, the Mets are getting the Giants' top pitching prospect, Zack Wheeler.

Wheeler was the Giants' first-round pick in the 2009 MLB draft and he was selected sixth overall. He has been outstanding at High-A San Jose this season and has quickly been climbing up prospect charts.  Coming into the season, Baseball America ranked him as the 55th-best prospect in the game.

Wheeler is 21 years of age and has a 7-5 record at High-A San Jose. He has a 3.99 ERA this season and he has an impressive 10.0 K/9 rate. His walk rate is a bit high at 4.8 BB/9, but this should not be a concern at this point, as he is still young and honing his control

This is a major steal for the New York Mets. The team is realizing that they likely will not make the playoffs this year and this move will help them in the future. Sandy Alderson has managed to get the top prospect that he wanted.

Wheeler could quickly rise through the majors and be wearing a Mets uniform in a few years. He could be a key piece of the team’s rotation by the middle of the 2013 season.

In Carlos Beltran, the Giants are getting an outstanding player who has the potential to be a game-changer. Beltran will be a free agent after the season and the Giants should have money available to re-sign him.

Beltran has also made it known that he likes New York and that he may want to come back to the Mets next year. The deal is pending Beltran waving his no-trade clause.