Is it time to trade Carlos Beltran...

Before I get 100 E-Mails killing me, please be aware that I think Carlos Beltran is the best player on the team. Beltran truly is a five tool player and a leader on this team, since he went down on June 22nd the team has fallen apart, prior to Beltran leaving the team was able to compete through all the other injuries.

I expect Beltran to return at 100% for next season but at 33 y/o with a history of knee injuries, this might be the last chance for the Mets to unload him for a major package. This team needs significant changes next year and while I see Reyes, Wright, Santana and Rodriguez as untouchable, Beltran might be our biggest chip.

I could see a team that feels they need a veteran center fielder paying a top package, including whatever monetary considerations it would take to waive his no-trade clause.

If in moving Beltran we received some quality, young starting pitching and allowed us to sign/trade for a power bat left fielder then I could live with a platoon of Sullivan and Pagan.

Beltran receives 22MM for the next two years but 5.5 MM is deferred and will really only cost a team 18.5 per year for 2010 /2011.

When Giles, 38, was asked about his own knee history, which is very similar to what Beltran is experiencing now, Giles told a cautionary tale of trying to play through a serious bone bruise in 2007. It only became worse, even after sitting out six weeks and taking a few painkilling injections, in a failed attempt to let it heal. source Newsday