Thu 28 Jul 2011
Beltran sent to Giants for top prospect Zach Wheeler
Posted by Derek Felix under Newsworthy , NY Mets , Trade DeadlineComments Off
General managers often have to make tough decisions regarding who stays and who goes. In baseball, the Trade Deadline is like a holiday for the national sportstime. Fans of teams can dream of acquiring a player that could be the difference between making the playoffs and a long offseason. More over, some moves are made with the intention of making the World Series.
Whether you’re buying or selling, there’s always players to be had in late July. As we’ve seen with the Mets, who have decided to not trade All-Star shortstop Jose Reyes in the hopes of re-signing him, they needed to slash payroll by getting rid of players that likely weren’t returning anyway. Such was the case when GM Sandy Alderson parted with closer Francisco Rodriguez earlier this month, sending him to Milwaukee for two future players they’ll choose from a list come September.
While curiosity awaits as to who they’ll get back from the Brew Crew, Alderson did as expected today by trading All-Star outfielder Carlos Beltran to the Giants in exchange for pitching prospect Zach Wheeler. Even if his team under some splendid managing from Terry Collins continues to hang around seven and a half behind wildcard frontrunner Atlanta, Alderson did right by his club maximizing a return nobody could’ve envisioned at the beginning of the season.
After missing so many games the past two years due to bad knees, Beltran was finally healthy enough to play everyday. A huge question entering 2011, all the 34-year old vet did was make the transition to right field and pace the Amazin’s in home runs (15), an NL-leading 30 doubles and RBI’s (66) while being selected to the All-Star Game ironically in San Francisco a couple of weeks ago. Written off by many Met fans who still blame him for the ’06 NLCS when he took called strike three leaving the bases loaded against St. Louis, Beltran worked hard to come back and that he did, putting together his best season since ’08 at Shea when he hit .284 with 27 dingers, 112 RBI’s and 25 steals in 161 games.
With his contract running out, Alderson had no choice, landing one of baseball’s top 50 prospects in 21 year-old righthander Wheeler, who the Giants hesitated to give up before agreeing in principle to a trade that will bolster their chances of repeating- adding a big bat to a weak offense that largely relies on a staff anchored by two-time Cy winner Tim Lincecum along with All-Stars Matt Cain and Ryan Vogelsong plus young hurler Madison Bumgarner. With not much consistent production outside of third baseman Pablo Sandoval, it made perfect sense for GM Brian Sabean to pull the trigger. Beltran immediately helps a lineup known for stranding runners, driving my Dad and other diehard Giant fans crazy.
Beltran didn’t quite deliver a third World Series to the Mets after signing a seven-year, $119 million contract, coming over from Houston off an amazing October. However, it’s easy to forget that he had three Amazin’ years, including a 41 homer ’06 campaign that tied the franchise record set by Todd Hundley. From ’06-08, he slugged 101 long balls while knocking in at least 112 with 66 stolen bases in 74 attempts. Loose Translation: Beltran did it all even if they fell short to the hated Phillies in ’07 and ’08. That stolen base percentage is pretty special. You just don’t see that.
To hear ex-teammate David Wright tell it of that wild October night when Beltran was frozen by a 3-2 Adam Wainwright curve breaking Amazin’ hearts, it wasn’t fair to blame the All-Star center fielder for such an excruciating NLCS defeat.
“Carlos Beltran did not lose us that series,” the sizzling third baseman said before continuing his tear since returning from the DL with a three-run home run part of an 8-2 Met win in Cincinnati. “Carlos Beltran, if anything, kept us in that series longer than maybe we should have been.”
That’s the measure of a team leader who gets it. The ultimate team sport is a lot more than one player, where almost anyone can factor in. Especially in the senior circuit if it goes extras with skippers often going through the entire bench before even having to use pitchers to pinch-hit or even pinch-run. Sometimes, it’s easy to pin it on one guy when they’re getting paid the most. Ultimately, Beltran struck out. However, the Mets had plenty of chances to finish off the Cards earlier in that series and didn’t. Now, he moves on to a new phase, trying to win his first championship with the Giants, who become his fourth team. Before Queens celebrates, it won’t be easy to replace that kind of production. Is former Cyclone Lucas Duda up to the challenge? He hit a homer in tonight’s win, which at least is a good start.
As for Zach Wheeler, here’s a young arm that the Mets hope will be a big part of a future that includes 10-game sophomore Jonathon Niese, surprising rookie Dylan Gee and perhaps Dr. Jekyll and Hyde, Mike Pelfrey if Met brass decides to keep him. Ace Johan Santana will start his rehab assignment and hopefully return next month. If anyone can make it back, the crafty southpaw can.
This year, Wheeler is 7-5 with a 3.99 ERA in Hi-A while fanning 98 and walking 47 over 88 innings. MLB considers him the 33rd best prospect, which has to excite Met fans. A quality return for a veteran outfielder they didn’t even know would give them what he did. To get such a return is tremendous for Alderson and Co.
Overall, it looks like a great deal for both sides. For the Giants, it’s more of a rental in hopes of winning a second straight Series while the Mets look towards the future.





