New York Mets right fielder Carlos Beltran is shown before a baseball game against the Florida Marlins in Miami, Friday, July 22, 2011. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
It looks like Carlos Beltran will get his wish.
The Mets have a deal in place to trade their star outfielder and cash to the offensively deprived San Francisco Giants for pitcher Zach Wheeler, according to multiple reports.
The deal has yet to be finalized, and the Mets haven’t commented, according to the New York Daily News.
Beltran–who is a free agent after this season–knew he was going to be traded before Sunday’s non-waiver trade deadline, and it was reported that his preference was to stay in the National League–so he wouldn’t have to be the designated hitter for an American League team.
Wheeler, 21, posted a 7-5 record and 3.99 ERA with the Giants’ Class-A team, San Jose Giants.
With the Mets 7.5 games behind the Atlanta Braves for the Wild Card spot, Mets general manager Sandy Alderson decided to field calls for the teams’ second best offensive player and look towards the future.
The All-Star right fielder is the second veteran to be traded this season. Earlier this month, the Mets traded closer Francisco Rodriguez to the Milwaukee Brewers.
Beltran is in the midst of his best season since 2008, after a couple of injury depleted seasons. He is currently batting .289 with 15 home runs and 66 RBI.
The outfielder joined the Mets in 2005, after spending the first seven seasons of his career with the Kansas City Royals. Beltran was traded to the Astros mid-season where the had a impressive playoff run.
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