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Texas Rangers, Say It Ain’t So: Trading Adrian Beltre

By Jared Pelham Stuart

ST PETERSBURG, FL - APRIL 18: Adrian Beltre #29 of the Texas Rangers looks on during a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on April 18, 2018 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
ST PETERSBURG, FL - APRIL 18: Adrian Beltre #29 of the Texas Rangers looks on during a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on April 18, 2018 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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MILWAUKEE, WI – MAY 26: Jason Vargas #40 of the New York Mets pitches in the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on May 26, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

New York Mets

This, of course, assumes that the Jose Bautista experiment will fail? (Suppressed laughter)

The Mets are already on the bubble. They stormed out of the gates to start the season, but now find themselves fourth in the NL East, and 3 games back of the Nationals (more on them in a moment) for the second Wild Card. 

We all know about their potential on the bump, but their offense has been inconsistent this season. Juan Laggers and Asdrubal Cabrera have been their most consistent hitters, Brandon Nimmo has had some flashes of greatness, and the Flushing faithful are continuing to wait for Michael Conforto to come and blow the doors off. 

Trading for prospects might be a difficult exchange, as New York’s arrow doesn’t seem to be pointing up, nor down.

The Mets are “set” at third base with the newly-signed Todd Frazier, but even he’s never been a high average player, and his defense is average at best. With Adrian Gonzalez getting the reps at first base, a trade for Beltre might push Frazier over, and Gonzo to the bench.

The Mets envision future success for first base prospect Dominic Smith, but if they believe that they can contend in 2018, they’re going to need to load up on offense. 

There’s something that feels wrong about Beltre to the Mets, perhaps because I’m not convinced the Mets themselves are going to believe they are a legitimate playoff team this season. But, what the hell do I know? Crazier things have happened. 

Trading for prospects might be a difficult exchange, as New York’s arrow doesn’t seem to be pointing up, nor down. They are, in many ways, a team which is perfectly…average. Beltre would serve as an upgrade for today, but might cost them a bit of tomorrow. 

Shortstop Andres Gimenez has been in the Mets system since 2015, and profiles as a slick player on both sides of the ball. With Amed Rosario seemingly penciled into the Mets future for the next six years, Gimenez may be available by process of opportunity.

The Mets also have lefty Thomas Szapucki who, despite having terrific stuff, can’t seem to stay healthy. I’m not sure how excited I am at the prospect of the Rangers picking up damaged goods, but the upside on Szapucki is high enough that he might be enticing in a package with another prospect or two. Justin Dunn would be perhaps the Rangers best case in a Beltre trade, though it’s tough to say if the Mets would trade a first-rounder from 2016 for a few months of Adrian Beltre. 

Again, this all seems to come down to how much the Mets believe in themselves.

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