Braves have chance to deal for Carlos Beltran? Do it now
If the Braves don't swing a trade for Carlos Beltran, he could end up in San Francisco or Philadelphia. (AP photo)
Before you shoot down the idea of the Braves trading a top pitching prospect like Mike Minor to rent Carlos Beltran for two months, consider this: He could be the difference in the them winning the National League East Division. And the pennant. And the World Series.
Beltran, who’s in the final year of his contract with the New York Mets, has been connected to seemingly every playoff contender in baseball’s rumor mill. But ESPN’s Buster Olney reports that there are only five legitimate pursuers right now: The Braves, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Boston and Texas. He pegs the Braves as the favorites.
There’s also a school of thought that Beltran, who has a no-trade clause, prefers to be traded to a National League team. In other words, if the Braves don’t get Beltran, one of their two biggest competitors – the Phillies or Giants — just might.
Beltran obviously isn’t the player he used to be, but he can still generate offense (entering tonight: .290, 15 homers, 61 RBI). He’s a switch hitter and can platoon in center field (Jordan Schafer) or right (Jason Heyward). He’s also a nice insurance policy should Chipper Jones struggle to return from a knee injury, or if he is reinjured (prompting Martin Prado to stay at third base and not return to the outfield).
But here’s the clincher: In four career playoff series with Houston and New York (22 games), he’s hitting .366 with a .485 on-base percentage, 11 homers and 19RBIs.
Imagine that as an option for the Braves in October.
If the Braves don’t have to mortgage their future for a rental player, general manager Frank Wren should make the deal. And since the Braves are deep in pitching, one prospect doesn’t qualify as mortgaging the future.
Do it.
By Jeff Schultz
♦
Follow me on Twitter @JeffSchultzAJC; friend me at Facebook.com/JeffSchultzAJC
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
286 comments Add your comment
BMC
July 22nd, 2011
6:07 pm
Just go ahead and throw in Heyward and Freeman too. Let the Phillies give up their Prospects.How much improvement did Texeira give the Braves for two months?
Joe
July 22nd, 2011
6:09 pm
My thing is this:
Does anyone think Brandon Beachy is going to be the #1 starter on this staff? He’s good, but no. But he beat out Minor for that #5 spot this spring. Minor has nice stuff but he’s never going to be a #1 starter. There’s nothing to fear from making this deal. So you face him in the NL East, big deal.
Dave Harrell
July 22nd, 2011
6:10 pm
No way! Beltran can no longer hit a mule in the butt with a blanket. Why not just allow any team to pick one of our prospects for a lunch at Chic-fil-a!
jerry
July 22nd, 2011
6:10 pm
Minor is 4-4 with a 5.35. I know he is young but I don’t think anyone is saying he is the next Koufax.
Bravesfan54
July 22nd, 2011
6:13 pm
Jeff – no siree! What – Mets get Minor for at 4 years of apprenticed baseball and we get Beltran for two months – oh, forgot make that 2 months plus the right to vastly overpay him for the “career close-out contract” he is sure to demand. He has the average, 15 dingers, and 61 rbi, and were paying a guy 15+ over 4 years already – and plus, Chipper for another year, and Lowe, and isn’t Jurrgens arb eligble. We did Tex bit. Same game, different name. No siree Bob.
James
July 22nd, 2011
6:19 pm
1. Schafer
2. Prado
3. Chipper
4. McCann
5. Freeman
6. Uggla
7. Beltran
8. Heyward.
pretty tough lineup if you ask me
Herschel Talker
July 22nd, 2011
6:20 pm
Schultzie:
You are correct. If they can get him for Minor, we must do it ASAP.
HT
Bravo Bravos
July 22nd, 2011
6:22 pm
Giving up pitching for short -term rental has bitten the Braves in the behind before. With the shortage of lefties in the system not sure it would be a wise move. If the Braves do give up Minor for Beltran, why not have the Mets throw in a middle reliever in the deal. The Mets are obviously not going anywhere this year and have no chance of signing Beltran again. The Braves instead of getting only a two month rental player for a legitimate solid left-handed starting pitcher for the next several years would at least have another relief pitcher to help them through this season and beyond. Thus the deal is more about a pitcher swap than just obtaining a rental bat for the rest of the season.
Paddy
July 22nd, 2011
6:22 pm
Great, great move if we can make it. When you have a chance, pull out all the stops. Forget the Texeira trade. Each year is always a different set of circumstances. Go for the brass ring when you can. John S. did when he was GM. I put him up there with Bill Lucas as the best gm’s in Braves history.
Najeh Davenpoop
July 22nd, 2011
6:26 pm
Agree. For the most part trading for a rental player is not a good idea, but the Braves are one of the four best teams in the major leagues, and acquiring a player of his caliber might be the difference between winning a World Series and not winning a World Series. And as good a prospect as Minor may be, the Braves have plenty of other top of the line pitching prospects.
braveschamps11
July 22nd, 2011
6:30 pm
Beltran is worth mike minor who has really not been that impressive overall and probably is no better than a 3rd starter in big leagues. Braves are loaded with way better prospects than minor. Beachy for Beltran no way but minor is a good deal. The mets will be willing to pay most of beltran’s salary. Pence is not possible since the astros are asking for 3 top prospects. Our only other options are streaky low avg occasional hr hitting guys similar to what gonzalez is. We need guys that can get on base consistently, braves have had way too many solo hrs this yr. Beltran and another reliever would put braves over top. The team now or with another low avg hitter is a team that will make playoffs but prob would not be able to matchup vs phillies, yankees, or red sox come playoff time unless somehow they are hitting on all cylinders at the time.
Seriously
July 22nd, 2011
6:33 pm
Beltran is the all-time leader in OPs in Post-season and is tied for most homeruns in one postseason. Oh and he currently leads NL in doubles and is in top ten in RBIs and OPs. If we get him – just for this stretch run/playoffs alone – for Minor it will be the biggest steal ever. Can’t even believe the Mets who settle for just him. Minor will never be a #1 starter for us and we are loaded in minors of quality arms.
satchmo
July 22nd, 2011
6:34 pm
Agree, get him , who’s the reliever we need?
Brian
July 22nd, 2011
6:34 pm
All I have to say is, if the Braves don’t pull the trigger and he ends up a Philly, I don’t want to hear any dumba$$e$ wanting to fire FG for losing to a team with more than twice the payroll. Sometimes you have to take a s/t chance or two when you are this close. Braves have PLENTY of pitching s/t and l/t.
Birrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrd Man
July 22nd, 2011
6:36 pm
Don’t get me riled-up on my drinkin’ night; no more trading the future for a hired gun. Dance with the one that brought you.
Bravos rule
July 22nd, 2011
6:37 pm
I see a lot of people suggesting prado moving to short stop. Can he play short, it’s not like playing any other position on the field. That is one position that you will sacrifice a little offense for great defense.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
July 22nd, 2011
6:38 pm
I think you have to make the move to keep his bat away from Philly and SF. Those two teams are in the same shape as the Braves. Trade Minor QUICK for Beltran.
Bravos rule
July 22nd, 2011
6:41 pm
I don’t think minor is going to be a top starter in this league. I say trade for Beltran now before anyone else gets him. We still need a right handed relief pitcher. Who is that player going to be?
Seriously
July 22nd, 2011
6:42 pm
@Dave Harrell: “No way! Beltran can no longer hit a mule in the butt with a blanket.”
If he’s that bad a hitter now why was he an all-star? Why does he lead NL in doubles, is 8th in RBIs, 10th in OBP, 8th in Slg%, 9th in OPS? Seriously! He’s as good a hitter right now as McCann. McCann has a higher average and 1 more HR but in ever other category, Beltran is better.
Darryl Blackberry
July 22nd, 2011
6:42 pm
Mike Minor and Nate McLouth
for:
Carlos Beltran and Willie Harris
I could live with a trade like that.
dawg4u
July 22nd, 2011
6:46 pm
I agree that if we don’t get Beltran, then he would end up with the Phillies or Giants. The best scenario would be for him to go to the Giants. The Braves should win the wild card with or without Beltran and they would probably need him to get past the Phillies as division winners. I would get him just to keep the Phillies out of the mix because if they get Beltran, then they will really be even heavier favorites to be the NL rep in the WS.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
July 22nd, 2011
6:50 pm
Exactly dawg4u. You go out and aquire him and he is your number three hitter also. Not your seventh hitter as someone put up earlier. Where else could you get a 3 hole hitter for at best a #3 starter for the stretch run. I wanna see them make a run at winning it THIS YEAR! I am not worried about Minor becoming elite. It is not apparent thus far he has the stuff to do it. Go make the move.
Seriously
July 22nd, 2011
6:51 pm
Think McCann is having a stud year at the plate? How would you like to have another bat like his in the line-up that is switch-hitter, has a history of performing at high level in playoffs and other teams will fear? Would you give up a prospect who will be your #5 or #4 starter at best when you have lot of quality arms in your system?
PLAYER AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO AVG OBP SLG OPS
Beltran 338 56 98 30 2 15 61 3 0 53 59 .290 .387 .524 .911
McCann 316 39 98 15 0 16 53 3 1 36 52 .310 .380 .509 .890
sheepdawg
July 22nd, 2011
6:56 pm
would be as bad as the jd drew trade
"Chef" Tim Dix
July 22nd, 2011
7:00 pm
I do not covet Mike Minor. Beltran MIGHT get hurt getting off the plane after the trade.
UNLESS there is a viable option at SS, I say do it. Now.
Tim L.
July 22nd, 2011
7:06 pm
I’d rather see us trade Derek Lowe to Detroit and move Mike Minor into the #5 starting slot. Just freeing up the $15 million for next year and remaining portion for this year would be good. Then we could have $$$ to spend on a right-handed hitting CF like Marlon Byrd – from the 20 games below .500 Cubs.
Byrd is in the 2nd year of a 3 year $15 million contract. Byrd missed 30 games after being hit in the face, but is 8 for 26 in his last 7 games and is hitting .303 overall in 60 games.
Mike D.
July 22nd, 2011
7:07 pm
Well just seen on MLB TradeRumors that a source stated Braves would be doubtful in parting with Minor in a deal for Beltran….so once again we get all the hype talk up and we get let down again so guess Beltran will be heading to the Giants or Phills to win a ring…..unless Frank has some other
off up his sleeve.
OldTimer
July 22nd, 2011
7:08 pm
Beltran is a turd bucket.
Joey
July 22nd, 2011
7:10 pm
Get him!
Seriously
July 22nd, 2011
7:15 pm
Minor for Beltran not the same as the Teixeira debacle or even Wainwright for JD Drew. This is more like the prospects we gave Padres for Fred McGriff. Remember them? Yeah we should have never given that Melvin Nieves. He had great potential as a hitter and we only had guys like Chipper Jones and Javy Lopez at Richmond. Huge risk. We might not have signed him. Why did we ever do that?
jhughes
July 22nd, 2011
7:16 pm
the one negative for him is that he has not hit lefties well thats what we need
BIG BEE
July 22nd, 2011
7:17 pm
No.No.No.NO.No!
Dirty Dawg
July 22nd, 2011
7:17 pm
Do it…assuming we don’t have to give ‘em anybody else. No way we’re gettin’ Pence unless we do another ‘give away’ to a Texas team, and I’m not for that. The Mets know they aren’t gonna keep Beltran so they likely would go for the Minor deal – particularly if Atlanta picked up the all of the rest of his salary for this year.
Not too clear about Prado at short…since when has he played it? I don’t have a recollection of him ever doing so here. We may have to use him and Beltran in some sort of continuous ’super-sub’ role.
ummm....
July 22nd, 2011
7:24 pm
Did Schultz just try to sell this idea by saying Beltran would be a good platoon player? Hell, might as well get Diaz back if that is what the Braves are wanting. Ridiculous rationalization.
chris
July 22nd, 2011
7:25 pm
Jeff, 100% agree…Minor is not going to be a major piece here in the future as I see it..so lets do it and who knows we may squeak out and get lucky on Carlos liking it here he’ll stay with us a year or more before he retires.
@___ISH___
July 22nd, 2011
7:26 pm
Minor’s all it would cost? Do it.
Seriously
July 22nd, 2011
7:26 pm
@jhughes “the one negative for him is that he has not hit lefties well thats what we need”
Carlos Beltran is 2nd in majors in homeruns vs LHP behind Granderson. Doesn’t sound that negative to me. His avg is low vs LHP this year but for career has been solid.
Plate Appearance
July 22nd, 2011
7:28 pm
HOLD TIGHT FRANK
The Braves don’t need another two month rental!
Don’t make a move like this Frank! Think long term, rather than short term.
And as for relief help, bring up one of the blue chip starting pitchers in the minors — much like you did previously with Medlen — to fill in this needed pitching gap.
You really don’t have to make a trade Frank — just because it’s trade deadline time.
Be wise instead and HOLD TIGHT, and we’ll applaud you for it!
eastbound and down
July 22nd, 2011
7:32 pm
schultz you’re an idiot. stick to something that u know something about. like taking a vacation.
Paddy
July 22nd, 2011
7:33 pm
Yes….do it now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Seriously
July 22nd, 2011
7:35 pm
I know its been 7 years but in 2004, Astros rented Carlos Beltran for a couple of months and he went off. Had most homeruns in playoffs and that’s w/o playing in World Series. Three of those were in Turner Field. Beltran almost single handedly beat a loaded Cardinals team in NLCS. Two years later he goes off again vs Cards as a Met. He has the highest career OPS in playoff baseball —- ever! I would take my chances with a guy like that. He’s more Mr. October than Reggie Jackson, Mr. October himself
Dawgs Man
July 22nd, 2011
7:42 pm
Can we trade Seabass for a mop? How about a bucket of balls? Maybe a bag of sunflower seeds. Just release the no-hitting loser.
josh
July 22nd, 2011
7:43 pm
If you are going to platoon an outfielder why not go young cheap and durable. Go after frenchy. Texas had him platooning in right and he had good numbers against lefthanded pitching. He is tough and will play 162 games ayer given the chance. He also won’t be asking for much money next year. Ramirez is playing well and you have to make a move. You could offer mcclouth or Schaeffer for a middle reliever
Dallas Falcon
July 22nd, 2011
7:45 pm
Don’t do it! Adding a bat is never as effective as adding a proven pitcher during a pennant race. Even if Minor is still a prospect, he’ll be worth more as trade bait later. Beltran just won’t improve the offense that much and he’s gone and Minor is gone in two months with nothing to show for it.
M10
July 22nd, 2011
7:54 pm
Make the trade its instantly makes this team better and gives them a chance at going far in the playoffs,if the Phillies get him there easy favs for the WS.
Stinger2
July 22nd, 2011
8:12 pm
Schultz: Just because Olney puts out his trade rumors does not mean you should stir up all the Braves fans without trying to get at least some info. from the Braves to see if they might be looking into such a trade. I realize they won`t say much but it would at least make it look like you are doing your job. You are not the Braves GM. Do some homework and don`t be so lazy before you write a blog like this.
1eyedJack
July 22nd, 2011
8:12 pm
I almost get the feeling I’m going to a hanging, what with the Mets dangling the Phillies and Giants over our heads. However, you definitely don’t want to see him in the Phillies lineup. Also, you may just see the Giants again in the 1st round of the playoffs.
Now, if you consider Minor to be one of your top two pitching prospects then you don’t make the deal, but if you have him third or lower, make the deal.
Pluto
July 22nd, 2011
8:13 pm
M10, Phillies were easy favs for the WS last year, too.
Finkle is Einhorn
July 22nd, 2011
8:16 pm
agree
mville hawks
July 22nd, 2011
8:17 pm
why not we go after UBALDO JIMENEZ?
if he in trade block , we should b after him