Carlos Beltran is no longer a New York Met.
The right fielder was not in the lineup for the Mets in Cincinnati last night and multiple reports indicate that the Mets and San Francisco Giants were finalizing a trade that would send Beltran to the world champions for pitching prospect Zach Wheeler.
“While we have been engaged in discussions, we are not in a position to comment at this time,” the Mets said in a statement yesterday afternoon. “As soon as we have something definitive to announce, we will do so.”
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Giants’ manager Bruce Bochy was more forthcoming when asked about Beltran before yesterday’s game in Philadelphia.
“He’s a special player. Carlos has all the tools you look for in a player,” Bochy said. “He’s a great defender, a switch-hitter, he can run, good instincts. He plays the game hard and he plays it right.”
Signed to a seven-year, $119 million contract following the 2005 postseason, Beltran’s tenure with the Mets ends with 149 home runs, a .289 batting average and five All-Star appearances,
In Wheeler, the Mets land a 6-foot-3, right-hander that the Giants selected sixth overall in the 2009 draft. Wheeler is 7-5 with a 3.99 ERA for Single-A San Jose. He’s struck out 98 batters in 88 innings.
The deal would dovetail perfectly with Beltran’s stated wish to play for a contender and be an everyday player. His bat would add a much needed boost to a Giants’ squad that’s ranked 25th in batting average. The Mets and Giants are tied for 23rd with 66 home runs.
It had long been believed that the Mets would attempt to trade Beltran in order to begin the reconstruction of the farm system. Because of his performance this season, he became the pre-eminent player on the market. Boston, Cleveland, Philadelphia and Atlanta were thought to be in the sweepstakes.
Mets COO Jeff Wilpon traveled to Cincinnati Tuesday night. He claimed that he wanted to watch the second game of the four game series against the Reds. Still, the timing of his trip coincided with the last week of the non-waiver trade deadline.
