by Joseph Landini
High Heat Network
http://highheatnetwork.com/?p=416
Soon to be in a different uniform, Carlos Beltran is the most talked about trade piece this year as the deadline comes closer. Although coveted by many, Beltran is seen in many different ways, both positively and negatively. Lets take a trip down memory lane shall we?
Beltran started his career with the Kansas City Royals, which started off in great fashion. In 1999, Beltran won the starting CF spot and won the American League Rookie of the Year, hitting 22 homeruns and 108 RBI. This went along with a 293 batting average and 27 stolen bases. His career started out promising, but hit controversy when he got injured in 2000. He was restricted to 98 games, and lost his spot to fan favorite Johnny Damon. After Damon was traded to Oakland the next season, Beltran regained his spot and returned to form. After a few up and down moments, Beltran was ready for bigger things.
In June of 2004 after realizing his time was almost up in Kansas City, the Royals traded him to a contending Houston Astros. That year Beltran became the first player to be named to one All-Star team (AL), but to play for another (NL). His time there was well worth it, as he hit a major league record 8 homeruns in the 2004 postseason. This record is what he is most known for in his career. With now being known as a big time player, and one who can hit in the biggest games possible, Carlos Beltran was set to hit gold and break the free agency bank with teams.
With the New York Yankees the favorite to land Beltran, the cross town rival New York Mets swiped him right up, by giving him the biggest contract in team history. 7 years $119 Million dollars. This was also the 10th contract in MLB history to pass the $100 Million mark. During his time with the Mets though he was nothing but inconsistent, mainly due to injury. From 2005-2008, Beltran played in over 140 games, and racked up 117 homeruns and over 400 RBIs. The investment by the Mets seemed to be working out, until the 2009 season hit. In 2009 Beltran’s production dropped heavily, as he only played in 81 games, putting up only 10 homeruns and 48 RBI. The next year was worse as he only appeared in 64 for the New York Mets.
Although Beltran was productive for years, he was not $119 Million dollars worth of production. He was brought to the Mets to put them over the top, and start a new era for the Mets. As a supposed to be leader, Beltran has been known to be sluggish and not to step up to the occasion since coming to New York. Also being known for his clutch gene, he was given the opportunity to send the New York Mets to the World Series for the first time since losing to the Yankees in 2000. After Aaron Heilman served up a two run homerun to St. Louis Cardinals Yadier Molina in the top of the 9th inning in Game 7 of the 2006 NLCS, it was the Mets turn at bat. After rookie closer Adam Wainwright gave up two lead off singles to Jose Valentin and Endy Chavez, he calmed himself to force a fly out and a strikeout. Wainwright made it interesting by walking Paul Lo Duca to load them, with Carlos Beltran to follow. Beltran, known for postseason wonders and a great history against the Cardinals, fell behind in the count 0-2. Wainwright threw a 0-2 curve ball right down the pipe, and Beltran looked at it for strike three. This pitch was the best pitch of Wainwright’s career, and in all honesty what Carlos Beltran is known for to most Mets fans.
After the years of disappointment, the Mets now have value again in Carlos Beltran as he is gaining old form. Batting 289 with 15/66, Beltran is the hottest bat on the market, and will be traded before the deadline. Is it a coincidence that he is having a great season in his contract year? Honestly, who cares? This is good for the Mets, as they will drop salary and gain prospects back. For his future team, they gain a five tool player who will boost whatever lineup he is apart of. The main players for Beltran are the Giants (who need another bat), the Braves (who just lost Brian McCann and could use another bat), and the Rangers (who would become maybe the most dominant lineup in baseball).
Whatever contender he goes to will gain a player looking to play well. Whether for a new contract, or just better ending career numbers. At age 34, and his best years behind him, he is looked at in many different ways. For Kansas City, he was seen as an up and coming great, who could not be held onto because of payroll. For Houston, he was seen as the player who single handily almost brought them a World Series. For the Mets, he will always be known as the guy who did not earn his contract, and single handily let millions down when he looked at strike three to end the 2006 NLCS. No matter what way you look at him though, Carlos Beltran will have another chance to prove something when he is traded within the next five days.
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