MIAMI — The Mets probably won’t get any resistance from Carlos Beltran if they can work out a trade with any of the five teams heavily pursuing his services.
After yesterday’s 5-4 loss to the Marlins at Sun Life Stadium, the All-Star right fielder — who has full no-trade protection in his contract — said the Giants, Phillies, Braves, Rangers and Red Sox all seem like suitable destinations.
“Those teams are in first place,” Beltran said. “The only one not in first place is Atlanta, but they are ahead in the wild card. Yeah, if [a trade] happens, I would love to be with one of those teams.”
Nevertheless, he says he would prefer to stay in the National League. Beltran also cited a potential hurdle with Texas and Boston: He would want assurance beforehand that neither club wants him as a designated hitter. That shouldn’t be a hitch considering the Red Sox have a full-time designated hitter in David Ortiz and the Rangers generally use Michael Young in that spot.
“I want to make it clear that I would love to play in the outfield,” Beltran said. “I’m not going to an American League team to be a DH — that’s something that I’m not willing to do and I’m not going to do it because I feel it’s not going to work for me.”
What about the possibility of playing the outfield five days a week and being a DH on a part-time basis?
“I’m an outfielder,” Beltran said.
He added that he hasn’t been approached by the Mets about approving a deal.
“For me, honestly, I don’t think about it,” Beltran said. “I’m coming to the ballpark every day and playing the game of baseball, so I’m not really thinking about it. Why am I going to think about it when it’s something that hasn’t happened yet?
“When they approach me about the teams, I will decide if I would like to go to that place or not. I’ve made it clear for them that the teams that are in contention are the ones that I’m willing to go to.”