After weeks of speculation had Carlos Beltran potentially landing with a number of different ballclubs, the outfielder will reportedly end up with the San Francisco Giants.
The Mets and Giants agreed to a trade Wednesday, according to The Associated Press. The only remaining hurdle was to get Beltran to waive his no-trade clause, which no longer seems to be an issue.
The Mets reportedly requested a 24-hour window from the commissioner's office to negotiate with Beltran to waive his no-trade clause. ESPN's Buster Olney reported, though, that Beltran is scheduled to fly from Cincinnati to Philadelphia on Wednesday night to join the Giants, who are in the midst of a three-game series with the Phillies.
According to ESPN.com, a New York Mets spokesman said that Beltran collected his belongings and left the stadium Wednesday night.
Beltran had the option to block any trade because he has been in the league for 14 years and has spent the last seven seasons in New York — meaning he has 10-and-5 rights.
But with the latest news, it looks as if Beltran will join the Giants outfield in an effort to help them secure their second consecutive NL West title. The Giants entered Wednesday three games ahead of the Arizona Diamondbacks.
In exchange for Beltran, the Mets will reportedly receive pitcher Zack Wheeler and $4 million of the remaining $6.5 million on Beltran's contract.
Wheeler was the sixth overall pick in the 2009 draft and was ranked as the No. 55 prospect in all of baseball prior to the season by Baseball America.
