Where Will Carlos Beltran Be Traded To?

Where will Carlos Beltran be traded to? That is the question many people have been asking since the All Star break. Carlos is most likely the most coveted trade chip on the market and many teams are looking to add him for a playoff push and possible World Series championship. Carlos is weary of going to the AL because he doesn't want to be made a DH, he has made it clear he wants to play right field. Several teams, like the Phillies,Braves,Giants,Redsox,Rangers to name a few are aggressively trying to pry Beltran away from the Mets. Sandy Alderson, GM of the Mets has made it known that he wants one top level prospect in return for Beltran and the Giants don't want to give up high A pitcher Zach Wheeler, the Phillies don't want to give up outfielder Dominick Brown who is currently on the big league roster and the Braves are awry to give up one of there many prized pitching prospects. Carlos wants to stay in the NL so he can play the field and because he knows the pitchers and parks well and doesn't have to make too many adjustments. Carlos Beltran is batting .291 on the season with 15 HR's and 64 RBI's in 96 games. He also shows a .391 OBP and .519 SLG% which equates into a .910 OPS. He's having a great season considering everyone thought he would need 1-2 games off a week before the season started to give his bad knees a rest but his knees are holding up and allowing him to be a everyday player. He has a clause in his contract that blocks a team from offering him arbitration in the off season, so a team that trades for him can't get draft pick compensation. He also has a full no trade clause, so he can decide what teams he'll block a trade to and what teams he'll accept a trade to. Lets now take a look at the possible landing spots for Carlos Beltran as the trade deadline draws closer and a possible trade hovers over Carlos Beltran.


Philadelphia Phillies: They could use an offensive piece and Carlos Beltran would be a huge addition to the lineup and would give them a starting outfield of Beltran,Victorino,Ibanez and they can send down Dom Brown to AAA or keep his bat on the bench. Philadelphia holds the best record in the MLB and Beltran does have postseason experience, so he could be a very key addition to the Phillies in there quest for another World Series title.


Atlanta Braves: They could really use an outfield bat and since Jason Heyward is in RF, maybe Beltran gets shifted back to CF or Heyward moves for Beltran. Their farm system is deep and they got great pitching prospects but aren't budging to give one up the best ones. They seem willing to give up Mike Minor, who the Mets recently scouted. Beltran would be a perfect addition to the Braves if they can get him and would be good leader heading into the playoffs.


San Francisco Giants: They desperately need offense since there young star catcher Buster Posey went down with a broken leg. Pablo Sandoval and Nate Schierholtz have been carrying the load on the offense. What's really got them soaring in first place is there pitching, both there rotation and bullpen. If they can add Beltran's bat to the offense, they might have a really good chance to repeat as World Series champions.


Milwaukee Brewers: The Brewers are going all in this year trying to win a World Series in what could be the final season in a Brewers uniform for young slugging first basemen Prince Fielder. They made trades for pitchers Zack Greinke and Shaun Marcum in the winter and added closer Frankie Rodriguez from the Mets during the all star break. There farm system is very thin so no one knows what they could offer that could woo Sandy Alderson in sending Beltran to Milwaukee. If Beltran goes to Milwaukee, he gets to play in RF and Corey Hart will be moved to CF. It'd also give them one of the top offenses in the game.


Pittsburgh Pirates: The team that is shocking the nation with there surprisingly great play so far are in a three way tie for first place in the NL Central with the Brewers and Cardinals. There young pitching is really carrying them as there offense could definitely use some veteran leadership and a middle of the order bat. Beltran would fit perfectly in Pittsburgh but although they are playing well, Beltran may not think they're serious contenders. Putting Beltran in the lineup with Andrew McCutchen and Neil Walker would be a great addition for a franchise who hasn't seen the playoffs since 1992.


Boston Redsox: The Redsox have arguably the best offense in the MLB but that's not stopping them from thinking of trading for Beltran's bat. If you add Beltran to a lineup that already consists of Adrian Gonzalez,Dustin Pedroia,Kevin Youkilis,Carl Crawford,Jacoby Ellsbury and David Ortiz , opposing pitchers will have nightmares the night before they start against Boston. The thing is, is Redsox young prospect is already playing RF and is doing a fantastic job and making the Redsox think otherwise about adding Beltran when there farm system took a hit after the A-Gon deal in the winter. They have bigger issues with there rotation and bullpen, so i don't think Boston will get Beltran.


Detroit Tigers: The Tigers offense is being carried by Miguel Cabrera (what else is new), Johnny Peralta,Alex Avila and Brennan Boesch. Adding Beltran will solidify the lineup and make it one of the for real threats in the AL and could get them over the hump and back into the World Series for the first time since 2006 when they were swept by the St.Louis Cardinals. To go with the rotation that features Cy Young candidate Justin Verlander and young guns Max Scherzer and Rick Porcello, the Tigers could be a real threat in the playoffs if they can make it.


Cleveland Indians: Another surprise in the MLB this year, the Indians are two games back in the AL Central of the Tigers and could really use a outfield bat. This is where Carlos Beltran comes into the picture, with Grady Sizemore and Shin Soo-Choo on the DL, the Indians could use Beltran's middle of the order production to get them back in first place. There starting pitching has been a nice surprise and the offense isn't too bad but could definitely use Beltran's help to get them back in the playoffs.


Texas Rangers: This is a little puzzling since they already got Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz in the outfield and in the corner outfield spots. I'm not sure Beltran wants to move back to CF and the Rangers already got Endy Chavez,Chris Gentry and David Murphy all in the crowded outfield picture. Texas also already has a top notch offense led by Cruz and Hamilton so i don't know why they need to add more offense especially a Beltran type contributor. What they really need is pitching, a bullpen piece and a starter who can get them over the hump and get them away from the Angels in the AL West. Texas does have a deep farm system so they could maybe make two big additions like a Heath Bell/Mike Adams/Ubaldo Jimenez/Hiroki Kuroda/Carlos Beltran/Hunter Pence/B.J Upton/Anibal Sanchez/Leo Nunez/Michael Bourn.

1st Half MLB Awards

The all star break is upon us and that means its time to hand out the first half awards for the AL and NL. Here are my choices for the leaders in each category at the halfway mark of the season.

National League:
MVP: Jose Reyes, New York Mets SS - Reyes leads the league in stolen bases,hits,triples and average. Jose is putting together his greatest season since entering the league, he's also playing great defense at his shortstop position. He is a free agent after the season and is expected to get a bigger contract then fellow speedstar Carl Crawford got last winter when he ditched the Rays for the Redsox for a 7 year, $142 million deal. He recently hit the DL but is only expected to spend the minimum amount of time on the DL and return July 22nd. Honorable Mentions: Matt Kemp LAD, Prince Fielder MIL, Lance Berkman STL

Cy Young: Roy Halladay, Philadelphia Phillies - Doc Halladay is up to his usual tricks again holding down an 11-3 record at the break with a 2.45 ERA, 138 K's and a 1.01 WHIP. He is leading a Phillies rotation that also features Cy Young candidates Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels. Philadelphia holds the best record in the MLB at the break at 57-34. Honorable Mentions: Cliff Lee PHI, Cole Hamels PHI, Jair Jurrjens ATL, Tommy Hanson ATL

Rookie Of The Year: Craig Kimbrel, Atlanta Braves P - Kimbrel is absolutely doing a fantastic job in the ninth inning for the Braves. He has set the rookie record for most saves at the all star break with 28. He also shows off a 2.35 ERA and over 46 innings has struck out 70 batters and has a 1.04 WHIP. Kimbrel is quickly evolving into one of the games more dominant closers. Honorable Mentions: Danny Espinosa WAS, Freddy Freeman ATL, Dillon Gee NYM

Manager Of The Year: Clint Hurdle, Pittsburgh Pirates - Clint is leading a Pirates team who has no big names on the team unless you would call rising superstar Andrew McCutchen a big name by now. He has a veteran pitching staff with no real ace but solid pitchers that keep them in the game and have one of the best closers this year in Joel Hanrahan. McCutchen and Neil Walker lead the offense that always finds ways to scrape across enough runs to win the ball game. Pittsburgh is four games over .500 and sits one game behind first place in the NL Central. Honorable Mentions: Kirk Gibson ARI, Bruce Bochy SF, Tony La Russa STL, Terry Collins NYM


American League:
MVP: Adrian Gonzalez, Boston Redsox 1B - Gonzalez was traded last winter from the San Diego Padres to the Boston Redsox and signed a huge 7 year, $154 million contract extension before the 2011 season to keep him in Boston through 2018. Adrian leads the league in RBI's,AVG and Hits. He is carrying a great Redsox offense and leading the Redsox to first place in the AL East after the first half. Gonzalez is doing it all for Boston so far. Honorable Mentions: Jose Bautista TOR, Curtis Granderson NYY, Paul Konerko CHI, Miguel Cabrera DET

Cy Young: Justin Verlander, Detroit Tigers - Verlander is having arguably his best season of his career holding a 12-4 record and 2.15 ERA at the break. He has struck out 147 batters and has a 0.87 WHIP. He has a no hitter this year as well where he only walked one Blue Jay. Verlander is carrying the Tigers in the central division and keeping them in contention. Detroit currently sits ahalf game over Cleveland in the AL Central. Honorable Mentions: Jered Weaver LAA, C.C Sabathia NYY, Josh Beckett BOS, James Shields TB

Rookie Of The Year: Michael Pineda, Seattle Mariners P - Pineda is having a very solid rookie season in Seattle showing off a 8-6 record with a 3.03 ERA, 113 K's and a 1.03 WHIP. He has serious gas to his fast ball and is really taking control of hitters. It's Pineda's award to lose i believe and the way hes pitching, he may run away with rookie of the year. Honorable Mentions: Eric Hosmer KC, Alexi Ogando TEX, Jordan Walden LAA

Manager Of The Year: Manny Acta, Cleveland Indians - Manny Acta is doing an incredible job with this Indians team, seating them a half game out of first place in the AL Central. No one gave Cleveland a shot at contention this year but the Indians are a very relentless team and are sticking around due to there phenominal young pitching. If the Indians stay in contention all year, i can see Manny Acta winning this award. Honorable Mentions: Terry Francona BOS, Joe Maddon TB, Ron Washington TEX, Mike Scioscia LAA

You can follow me on twitter at @ScoreboardSteve

My AL and NL All Star Teams

Derek Jeter starting at shortstop for the AL? Really? This is a reason why fan voting should be abolished from the MLB All Star game. The fans voted Derek Jeter to start at shortstop for the AL, (.270 AVG , 3 HRs , 24 RBIs , .330 OBP , .683 OPS). Are those all star numbers? I don't think so. More deserving of the starting spot would've been the Cleveland Indians' Asdrubal Cabrera (.293 AVG , 14 HRs , 51 RBIs , .347 OBP , .836 OPS) or the Detroit Tigers' Jhonny Peralta (.310 AVG , 14 HRs , 50 RBIs , .360 OBP , .887 OPS). Yet, these guys are merely backups. Derek Jeter yesterday, got his 3,000th career hit and two days before announced he will pull out of the all star game to rest his calf. That is the only reason why Cabrera has the starting job at shortstop for the AL in the all star team, because Jeter pulled out. Shouldn't he have been starting in the first place? That's whats messed up with the fan voting, it's pretty much a popularity contest when voting. Another position where fan voting did not get it right was the NL third base position where the Philadelphia Phillies Placido Polanco was voted the starting 3B for the NL. The usual stars at the third base position in the NL have spent big chunks of time on the DL this year, the Nationals Ryan Zimmerman , the Mets David Wright and the Giants Pablo Sandoval. Placido Polanco has been having an ok season but why is no one looking at the Cubs Aramis Ramirez? Here are Polanco and Ramirez's stats and you judge who should start. Polanco: (.274 AVG , 4 HRs , 39 RBIs , .331 OBP , .676 OPS) and Ramirez (.299 AVG , 15 HRs , 51 RBIs , .347 OBP , .846 OPS). Clearly, Aramis Ramirez should be starting for the NL at third base but the fans messed it up. The backup third basemen is the Braves Chipper Jones, who yesterday underwent surgery on his knee, so he is out of the all star game and is being replaced by the Reds Scott Rolen. Are you kidding me? Scott Rolen? I guess no one likes the Cubs at all since Aramis Ramirez isn't getting a call to be on the roster as at least a back up third basemen. I really hope the MLB gets rid of fan voting and gets a panal of hall of famers or employees in the MLB front office to vote who gets a roster spot for each league. Anyway, here is my All Star rosters, they may include players who have recently landed on the DL but im going by best numbers, so here we go.

American League:
C-Alex Avila , Detroit Tigers
1B-Adrian Gonzalez , Boston Redsox
2B-Robinson Cano , New York Yankees
3B-Alex Rodriguez , New York Yankees
SS-Asdrubal Cabrera , Cleveland Indians
OF-Jose Bautista , Toronto Blue Jays
OF-Curtis Granderson , New York Yankees
OF-Jacoby Ellsbury , Boston Redsox
DH-David Ortiz , Boston Redsox

P-Justin Verlander , Detroit Tigers
P-CC Sabathia , New York Yankees
P-Jon Lester , Boston Redsox
P-Josh Beckett , Boston Redsox
P-James Shields , Tampa Bay Rays
P-Jered Weaver , Los Angeles Angels
P-Dan Haren , Los Angeles Angels
P-Michael Pineda , Seattle Mariners
P-Mariano Rivera , New York Yankees
P-Jose Valverde , Detroit Tigers
P-Jordan Walden , Los Angeles Angels
P-Brandon League , Seattle Mariners
P-Chris Perez , Cleveland Indians
P-David Robertson , New York Yankees

Reserves:
C-A.J Pierzynski , Chicago Whitesox
1B-Paul Konerko , Chicago Whitesox
1B-Miguel Cabrera , Detroit Tigers
2B-Howie Kendrick , Los Angeles Angels
3B-Adrian Beltre , Texas Rangers
3B-Kevin Youkilis , Boston Redsox
SS-Jhonny Peralta , Detroit Tigers
OF-Josh Hamilton , Texas Rangers
OF-Brennan Boesch , Detroit Tigers
OF-Matt Joyce , Tampa Bay Rays
OF-Michael Cuddyer , Minnesota Twins

National League:
C-Brian McCann , Atlanta Braves
1B-Prince Fielder , Milwaukee Brewers
2B-Rickie Weeks , Milwaukee Brewers
3B-Aramis Ramirez , Chicago Cubs
SS-Jose Reyes , New York Mets
OF-Ryan Braun , Milwaukee Brewers
OF-Matt Kemp , Los Angeles Dodgers
OF-Lance Berkman , St.Louis Cardinals

P-Roy Halladay , Philadelphia Phillies
P-Cliff Lee , Philadelphia Phillies
P-Cole Hamels , Philadelphia Phillies
P-Jair Jurrjens , Atlanta Braves
P-Tommy Hanson , Atlanta Braves
P-Clayton Kershaw , Los Angeles Dodgers
P-Ryan Vogelsong , San Francisco Giants
P-Ian Kennedy , Arizona Diamondbacks
P-Craig Kimbrel , Atlanta Braves
P-Drew Storen , Washington Nationals
P-Leo Nunez , Florida Marlins
P-Joel Hanrahan , Pittsburgh Pirates
P-Heath Bell , San Diego Padres
P-Jonny Venters , Atlanta Braves

Reserves:
C-Miguel Montero , Arizona Diamondbacks
1B-Joey Votto , Cincinnati Reds
1B-Gaby Sanchez , Florida Marlins
2B-Brandon Phillips , Cincinnati Reds
3B-Pablo Sandoval , San Francisco Giants
3B-Chase Headley , San Diego Padres
SS-Troy Tulowitzki , Colorado Rockies
OF-Carlos Beltran , New York Mets
OF-Andrew McCutchen , Pittsburgh Pirates
OF-Hunter Pence , Houston Astros
OF-Matt Holliday , St.Louis Cardinals
OF-Justin Upton , Arizona Diamondbacks

Final score prediction: NL 7 AL 5. National League secures home field in the World Series!