Carlos Beltran Speaks

[G-Fafif]

Carlos Beltran, shipped off in new Mets GM Sandy Alderson's winter housecleaning, has emerged as a legitimate A.L. MVP candidate. While Beltran has led the Red Sox to a surprisingly comfortable first-place lead over the Yankees, Alderson has to be hoping the prospects he acquired in January pan out eventually. Right now, the last-place Mets have egg on their faces.

Just a hunch, on the off chance it happens.

[Frayed Knot]

The 'Beltran to the Sox' rumors date back to at least the '07 World Series at this point back when some NYM fans started dreaming about how if only Boston could be tricked into a straight-up swap for Jacoby Ellsbury then all would be right with the world.

Remember also that there is that pesky no-trade deal to contend with.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Peter Gammons (remember him?) says that the Mets and Red Sox are discussing Beltran.

NESN.com wrote: Gammons speculated that the Mets would be willing to pay up to $10 million of Beltran's $18.5 million salary but may want Daisuke Matsuzaka or Marco Scutaro in return. Gammons added that it's unlikely the Sox would give up either player.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: Peter Gammons (remember him?) says that the Mets and Red Sox are discussing Beltran. NESN.com wrote: Gammons speculated that the Mets would be willing to pay up to $10 million of Beltran's $18.5 million salary but may want Daisuke Matsuzaka or Marco Scutaro in return. Gammons added that it's unlikely the Sox would give up either player.

How about no, then?

I mean, salary relief be damned... they're selling low on the guy-- and with the decreased leverage of a full non-trade clause added on, to boot-- if they sell now. Wait 'til he does a little something this season, if you're dead set on moving the guy.

[TransMonk]

What would we do with Scutaro? Other than trade Reyes?

[Guest sharpie]

Play him at second base.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

sharpie wrote: Play him at second base.

I believe that's the plan. (In this telling, anyway.)

[TransMonk]

I guess that makes sense. Did he play 2B before?

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

2360-odd innings' worth (including 200 or so as a Son of Payson).

[metirish]

Boras for what it is worth (nothing) is saying Beltran expects to stay a Met.

[TransMonk]

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: 2360-odd innings' worth (including 200 or so as a Son of Payson).

I need to pay more attention to AL players outside of October. I vaguely remember Marco's time at a Met, but those were some down years.