As each day passes, it seems more and more likely that Mets outfielder Carlos Beltran will be traded. A recent report says that the two best teams in baseball are leading the charge to acquire the All-Star.
According to FoxSports.com, the Red Sox and the Phillies are both aggressively pursuing Beltran, who has been a hot topic around baseball when it comes to the upcoming July 31 trade deadline.
The Mets have indicated that they would be willing to pay much of Beltran's remaining salary — he'll be owed roughly $6 million after the deadline — but they may not have to pay that much. Sources told Ken Rosenthal in the Fox report that interest in Beltan is so high that it may allow the Mets to move him well before the deadline to save some more money.
By all indications the Mets are looking for a top prospect in return for Beltran, who is believed to be the best hitter available at the deadline. Beltran does, however, become a free agent after this season.
In the "For what it's worth" department, the Portland Press Herald's Kevin Thomas tweeted on Tuesday night that Mets assistant general manager J.P. Ricciardi was in attendance for Tuesday's Portland Sea Dogs game, as he was on Monday night. Of course, it's possible that Ricciardi could be scouting Red Sox prospects as the deadline approaches, but it's also worth noting the Sea Dogs' opponent on Tuesday — the Binghamton Mets.
