SAN FRANCISCO — Carlos Beltran wants to get back to the postseason. He just might get there this year with the Giants, but he continues to hope the Mets make a run at meaningful games.
Beltran was in right field at AT&T Park for the Mets last night, but when general manager Sandy Alderson decides to back up the truck and start trading, the Giants will be one of the teams interested in Beltran, according to multiple sources.
Giants manager Bruce Bochy added Beltran to the National League All-Star team, and you can be sure he would love to add him to his offensively challenged Giants lineup. Beltran and Jose Reyes will fly with the Giants contingent to the All-Star Game on Sunday in Phoenix, and there is nothing stopping the Giants from doing a little recruiting at 30,000 feet.
“Hopefully they won’t kidnap him,” one Mets official said jokingly after last night’s stirring 5-2 win over the Giants.
Beltran is hoping it is the Mets (46-43) who make a playoff run, but he made it clear again that he wants to play for a contender and wants to get back to the playoffs.
Manager Terry Collins’ club came up with the big win when Scott Hairston took care of The Beard, driving a solo pinch-hit home run in the top of the ninth off Brian Wilson to snap a 2-2 tie. Beltran drove in the second run of the inning with a single, one of his three hits as he raised his average to .287 and scored on Nick Evans’ first hit of the year.
“Anytime you win a big game like that it means a lot,” Beltran said.
Beltran, who has a full no trade clause in his contract, said he would accept a deal to a contender if the Mets decide to ship him. The Red Sox also figure to show interest in Beltran.
“We’re playing good right now,” Beltran said. “We’re contending right now. Right now the Mets are keeping everybody.”
When Beltran, 34, was asked if he liked AT&T Park, he smiled and said, “I like any park. As long as I am playing baseball I like any park.
“I want to play baseball, have a chance to make the playoffs and win a championship,” said Beltran, who has appeared in two postseasons, one with the Astros, the other with the Mets. “That’s why you work hard your whole career to try and be in a position so you can win a World Series. That’s my goal.”
Beltran said he was impressed with the way the Giants won the World Series last year.
“They did a great job,” Beltran said. “That shows right there that you don’t have to have the greatest lineup to win the World Series. You have to have good pitching.”
“Every year you want to be in that position when you are playing games that are meaningful,” Beltran added. “That’s what it is all about. You can play 162 games and they don’t feel the same as when you play in the playoffs. It’s a different atmosphere. It’s just a great feeling as a ballplayer. Every ballplayer wants to have that feeling. We have only been in the playoffs once [with the Mets]. I can’t wait to have that opportunity again.”
Beltran is prepared to move on if the injury-plagued club stumbles.
“We have a good test ahead of us with the Giants, Phillies and Cardinals, let’s see what happens,” Beltran said. “We are having fun. We are enjoying it. We’ve had some tough injuries. We have to make the most of what we have. “Right now there is nothing I can do,” Beltran said. “I could say I would love to be here or I would love to be there, but right now we are playing good. At the end of the day, yes, I decide where I want to go, but the organization is the one who has the last call if they want to trade some of the guys.”
Last call went to the Mets again last night with Beltran helping to lead the way.