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
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286 comments Add your comment
gcs
July 23rd, 2011
12:03 am
1. Prado does not have enough experience playing shortstop. You can’t just PUT him there.
2. Beltran (age 34) played 145 games in 2009-2010. He is due for an injury any day now.
3. You never want to give a rival team a pitcher who is going to pitch against you for the next 10 years. Especially a lefty.
4. The Braves have been burned too many times by rent-a-players.
5. The Braves are good enough as they are now to win it all.
The Braves are the pretty girl at the school dance. Everyone wants to dance with her and she can pick and choose. The Mets would have to sweeten the pot before a deal like this is made.
.
bravos007
July 23rd, 2011
12:09 am
when in the hell will the braves learn? renting outfielders who are past their prime has not worked b4 and it won’t work now. KEEP MINOR.
Air Zaza
July 23rd, 2011
12:21 am
I rather B.J. Upton and I don’t think Minor is enough to get Beltran either but I will rather Upton.
benchwarmer
July 23rd, 2011
12:43 am
dl,dl,dl,dl! That’s all I see for Beltran. Minor is worth more than the risk involved in a talented but often injured Beltran. No trade.
benchwarmer
July 23rd, 2011
12:48 am
Nope is right.
Air Zaza
July 23rd, 2011
1:04 am
Prado-Upton-Heyward is the most talented outfield since Andy Van Slyke-Bonilla-Bonds in Pittsburgh. That’s the move we need to make. Trade Minor for Upton straight up.
Air Zaza
July 23rd, 2011
1:10 am
Beltran is 34. His contract is in his last year. He best days are behind him. If we are going to trade Proctor or a couple mid tier prospects, sure. But not for Minor or better. He has no potential for a talent like Minor.
bowman
July 23rd, 2011
1:12 am
NOT.
bowman
– -
“Art will always be Art.” – Goethe
Justdo it!
July 23rd, 2011
1:22 am
Everyone, please! Minor is not even at the major league level. Forget the talk of upsetting team chemistry. We have the chance to add a difference maker to our everyday line-up and a deal needs to be made. Do any of you actually think the Braves can go deep into the playoffs with McClouth and Schaffer both hitting around .225. We need outfield pop and this trade would provide it. Those who say he is washed up evidently don’t look at stats because he is statistically better than anyone on the Braves right now. I would rather get someone that can be signed long term, but this would drastically improve our offense. Plug him in anywhere in the outfield and it would be an upgrade. I know everyone loves Heyward but he will continue to struggle until he gets more aggressive at the plate. Make the trade if only to keep your biggest rival from upgrading their offense. Minor is not that high of a price to pay for a proven bat that could help this team in the playoffs.
Smoove Criminal
July 23rd, 2011
1:45 am
“He’s a switch hitter and can platoon in center field (Jordan Schafer) or right (Jason Heyward).”
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Braves won’t bring Beltran over to platoon for 2 months like some others have already said. If Beltran platoons with anyone it will be Nat McLouth. Heyward is starting to come around it looks like so why would he sit? Schafer has shot himself in the foot with nearly every single opportunity he’s been given and although Wren has the biggest man crush ever on him, he’ll be the odd man out and going back to AAA if Beltran is traded for.
bulldawgbob
July 23rd, 2011
2:19 am
Didn’t we learn anything from the Texeira fiasco? Salty has never been the catcher everyone thought he was, but Neftali Perez and Elvis Andrus are stars for Texas. Minor for Beltran, bad idea.
Tron5000
July 23rd, 2011
3:19 am
If he had another year on his deal I may agree. But he doesn’t, so I don’t. His October worth has been greatly overrated. That’s why the Mets paid him such a ridiculous contract. And none of his October teams have ever done anything, so he may put up numbers, but does he put them up when it counts?
Stinger2
July 23rd, 2011
5:07 am
Frank Wren does not consult with Schultz, any other media person, or and blogger before he makes a move. Thank goodness for that. The media`s job is to cover the games and report the facts….not to play like managers or GM. The fans should just watch and enjoy the games. They have no clue as to how a team should be built.
what of it?
July 23rd, 2011
5:30 am
For all of the yankees big bats they didn’t make the WS, nor has Beltran ever played in a WS. Last time we went for a bat (texiera) we didn’t even make the post season
Minor is not a prospect anymore. He’s major league ready and left-handed. We would be fools not to keep some insurance in the starting rotation. Last year we were throwing beachy for his first big league start in the final series of the year. The ted isn’t built for big bats and the long ball era is over
Carpetbagger
July 23rd, 2011
5:54 am
The Braves will never reach their potential with Terry McGuirk at the helm. He is WORTHLESS!
Bud Wiser
July 23rd, 2011
6:14 am
Two words – Len Barker.
bessiereiter
July 23rd, 2011
7:19 am
When You plan to move from your home in the next few years dont refinance your mortgage, use tools from “123 Refi” they make it easy to check your current loan and provide you the solution
David
July 23rd, 2011
8:13 am
As of this morning, the Braves have the 4th best record in baseball. I think the Braves are set – seems like there’s a different hero every day. I wouldn’t trade anyone one right now. Team chemistry is good.
falcon
July 23rd, 2011
8:15 am
no thanks…….rental players have not worked out too well in the past. I’d rather find an OF that still had some upside and would remain with the organization for a few years. Beltran is not the guy!
Runnin With The Dawgs
July 23rd, 2011
8:22 am
I agree with David. The Braves have the 2nd best record in the National League. Beltran MIGHT make a good addition to the team, but I wouldn’t trade a good pitcher or even a good prospect for him. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it. I say keep the team as young and hungry as possible. “GO BRAVES”!
DawgInaTruck
July 23rd, 2011
8:26 am
The hitting is slowly starting to come around (see Uggla and Heyward) and, barring a huge and unforseen disaster, we get Chipper back in a few weeks. The offense won’t be our problem/challenge down the stretch, middle relief will.
You never have enough pitching and dealing Minor for a two month rental who, while still a productive player, is past his prime is simply unwise long-range planning. This Braves team is not complete but look around; in today’s game no team is.
The biggest caveat in the entire situation is the status of team ownership after this season. If you know that, this decision becomes easy. If we are gonna get sold off again and/or be forced to deal with additional payroll restrictions, go for it now because we are going to get gutted in the future anyway.
BTW Stinger2, your post makes way too much sense. You don’t stand a chance here.
d- vegas
July 23rd, 2011
8:32 am
if there going to get beltran then they need to get him soon like today because the longer hes out there then the value of renting him goes down because theres less games to play and the braves just drafted a similar lefty in the draft with similar potential. i believe his last name is gilmartin.
Lou
July 23rd, 2011
8:35 am
Beltran guarantees (barring an injury) yes guarantees post season play for the Braves. McCann, Uggla, Heyward, Freeman. Gonazalez and Beltran make a preety powerful lineup and you still have bench strenghth The Braves have so much pitching strength that it won’t even be a blip onthe screen to trade one or two prospects. Do it!
Scott
July 23rd, 2011
8:43 am
Jeff, you must be getting old. Your memory is gone. Wainwright for Drew, the Texas debacle, on and on and on. When will we quit trading away the future for the short term rental of an over the hill ’star”.
ET
July 23rd, 2011
8:45 am
bulldawgbob wrote:
July 23rd, 2011
2:19 am
Didn’t we learn anything from the Texeira fiasco? Salty has never been the catcher everyone thought he was, but Neftali Perez and Elvis Andrus are stars for Texas. Minor for Beltran, bad idea.
Top Dawg
July 23rd, 2011
8:47 am
If we could get him for a few years, then okay, I agree (with Shultzie). However, if it’s just for the remainder of this year, I say no way.
Joe Tess Fish House
July 23rd, 2011
9:00 am
Aint nobody gonna help the Braves until they git rid of there loosing managar.
braveshoo
July 23rd, 2011
9:06 am
Keep in mind that you are trading within the division. The Braves have trouble with LH pitching, and now you are proposing sending your only furure LHed starter to a rival, and you will have to face him for the next 10 years. It is not worth it. Usually some relatively unknown player gets hot during the playoffs and makes the difference like the guy from Forida who went to the Giants last year. Sit tight and we will be just fine.
Brave 1
July 23rd, 2011
9:08 am
Not for one of the young pitching prospects – can anyone say Wainwright?
Runnin With The Dawgs
July 23rd, 2011
9:10 am
I saw a post saying that the Braves have a losing manager. How does that work when they’re 18 games over .500?
jb
July 23rd, 2011
9:17 am
Brave 1, one player for Beltran is not like Wainwright deal where we gave up 5 players.
bravogator
July 23rd, 2011
9:21 am
runninwiththedawgs…It wasn’t the Braves with losing mgr it was UGA with Richt.
Michael Ruffin
July 23rd, 2011
9:23 am
Name me another high quality left-handed starting pitching prospect in the Braves’ upper minors. Thank you. That’s why Minor for Beltran is not a good idea…
Bill
July 23rd, 2011
9:26 am
Good point M Ruffin.
Wright
July 23rd, 2011
9:29 am
Bad trade, Beltran is at the end of his career kind of reminds you of when Wade Boggs was being dangled for a quality Braves pitcher. In two years Boggs was through.
louisville slugger
July 23rd, 2011
9:32 am
To me, it depends on Chipper’s health. If they don’t think Chipper is gonna be there for the home stretch, and Prado needs to play 3B, I would do it. If Chipper’s in there, though, I think I’m OK with the OF of Prado/Heyward/Schafer/McLouth/Hinske.
I definitely would not put Prado at SS for Gonzalez, he’s much too good a defensive shortstop.
clay
July 23rd, 2011
9:39 am
I agree with this deal IF AND ONLY IF, we give up minor and maybe two prospects to be named. I they should send gonzo and mcclouth in with the deal bc schafer is great in center, put beltran in left and move prado to short. The only thing about that is, you don’t know how chipper is going to come back and perform. So maybe keep gonzo but mcclouth and minor could go.
bobby's cox
July 23rd, 2011
9:45 am
you’re high. mike minor needs to stay in the organization, and beltran is a bum. i don’t want any former mets ruining our run at the world series.
chris
July 23rd, 2011
9:47 am
You are crazy Jeff…..NO WAY would I trade Mike Minor who may be the next Tom Glavine for someone who will be in a Braves Uniform for two months and spend most of it on the DL because he’s more injury prone than Chipper. Now if you tell me Minor for Pence…..Go for it. But for Beltran….NO WAY. You still have the thought in your mind of what he did the last time he was a rental player in a blockbuster trade. He’s alot older now Jeff and he’s not the same player.
JF McNamara
July 23rd, 2011
9:48 am
The Braves are still paying for Bobby Cox. If Yunel Escobar is still here, this isnt a consideration, because you fill the offensive hole at Short. While Heyward is as fragile as fine China, he’s hit for average and power at every level and was one of the best hitters in baseball last year. You don’t platoon him.
Huddy and Lowe are both old, and a pitching surplus goes to deficit really, really fast. Don’t do it for a two month rental. its just not worth it.
bj
July 23rd, 2011
9:48 am
sounds like BC’s bs
Bernard
July 23rd, 2011
9:55 am
Adam Wainwright….Adam Wainwright….Adam Wainwright….when you don’t learn from the past, you’re bound to repeat it!….duh!
The Grinch
July 23rd, 2011
9:57 am
Two words – Mark Texiera
Bravehomey
July 23rd, 2011
10:10 am
How soon do we forget that Adam Wainwright- J.D. Drew deal! Who came out the better in THAT??
Walley
July 23rd, 2011
10:11 am
Alex Gonzales had 15 home runs last year when we got him from the Blue Jays. How many did he hit the rest of the way?? 2 or 3! Just because Beltran is hitting what he is right now doesn’t mean that he will the rest of the way. Then guess what…bye bye! Keep Minor. I’ll take my chances.
jrn
July 23rd, 2011
10:12 am
go get reed johnson and willingham both cheap and both can hit lefties they wont cost a top pro and think of the flexibility they would give our lineup
mike
July 23rd, 2011
10:27 am
how about possibility philly pretend to trade for Beltran to force braves make the deal to get rid of promising prospects,to make braves less treat in coming years.
Jack
July 23rd, 2011
10:28 am
Beltran has rarely been as good a player as people yearn for him to be. Back when he was in the Royals outfield with Johnny Damon, he was supposed to be the great weath of untapped talent, and he would tantalize with some great moments. Still, his only great stretch of note was the playoff series that landed him the contract with the Mets. Now, as Fred Wilpon has noted, Beltran really didn’t deserve that contract and surely hasn’t played up to it. And, Jeff Schultz thinks Beltran is a difference maker for Atlanta? Look at his career stats and they are above average, but Beltran does not come across the guy who puts Atlanta over the top.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
July 23rd, 2011
10:37 am
I do love the Braves, but Braves fans suck! Bunch of fans to scare to go make a move. Rather watch the Phillies and Giants go get the bat and play the string out. Happy for another Wildcard run and out in the 1st round of the playoffs. To scared to pull off the move because of what may happen 10 years from now. No wonder Atlanta is thought of as a poor sports town. To many fans dont know jack. Go ahead and remember a Wainright or Tex deal. I will remember a McGriff deal. If you are paralyzed in making this deal because of those then hell you’ll never make a deal. Aggressive moves need made. People talk about Chipper coming back? Yeah lets get his .255 hitting 7 homer 50 RBI but back in the 3 hole. Can’t wait to see that take us to a WS, but mind you Bletre in the 3 hole as a switch hitter followed by McCann then Chipper would be strong. Then Freeman in the 6 hole? That is a lineup capable of getting you to the World Series and you have effected virtually nothing! Ridiculous if you do not make this move!
Falcorave
July 23rd, 2011
10:38 am
everyone has to remember that Beltran’s 61 RBIs are with Jose Reyes generally hitting two spots ahead of him. anyone can drive in a crap-ton of runs if they have a .350 hitter who’s always on third base. That RBI total is an extremely inflated stat for Beltran. we have the team to win now.