Carlos Beltran hasn’t been shy about answering trade questions as he perhaps enters his final weeks with the Mets. After indicating last week that he’d be open to a trade to San Francisco, he came out Monday and said Boston is on his list as well.
“They’re in first place,” he said. “That’s a no-brainer.”
The Red Sox have stuck with the struggling J.D. Drew in right field, even though he’s driven in just 21 runs in 73 games. They might be open to making a change if the right opportunity comes along. Still, there’s nothing to suggest they’ve engaged the Mets in talks regardling Beltran. Not only would the $6 million left on his deal be an obstacle, but such an acquisition could also have luxury-tax ramifications for a Boston team that’s been straddling the line.
Beltran, because he’s spent 10 years in the league and the last five with the same team, has full no-trade protection.