I would be on the market for Carlos Betran....especially if i was in the Braves or Rangers shoes. If you look at the competition, the Braves are extremely lacking on offense. A bat like Beltran's could be a big part to them having success in clinching the wild card and being successfull later in October. They are already over the top on pitching and their defense is pretty good...they need that bat if they want to contend. The Rangers on the other hand have a great offense already but acquiring Beltran would give them an offense so potent to possibly match the Yankees or even the Red Sox putting them over the top in the AL West and giving them agood shot at getting back to the World Series. Upton is just not too enticing. I think the Braves would be better off t go after Michael Bourn if they can't get Beltran so they have a great leadoff man WITH the defense and speed as well.
James - 13 years ago
Ill take Hunter Pence, thanks
Ryan - 13 years ago
I forgot to add in the beginning that I realize Beltran is a free agent at the end of the year, but Carlos could be the difference between A Championship Team, or missing the playoffs altogether. I don't think Upton would make an impact nearly that big on any team now or even in the future, the guys swing just can't be fixed. There is so many holes in it that the maximum I ever see him hitting is 250. He's basically a Young Mike Cameron, speed power, great fielder that strikes out way too much, doesn't hit for average, and is way too streaky....Except Upton has much more of an attitude than Cameron. Upton is a decent player, but he'll never be a franchise player....Maybe he's like the fourth or fifth guy on your player, but not much more than that.
Ryan - 13 years ago
First of all, Team Control and BJ Upton don't belong in the same sentence. Second of all, we already know the Rays wont be able to afford to re-sign Upton when his contract is up so why would you waste a prospect trading for him? Beltran is by far the best offensive player on the market. He could be traded anywhere and be batting clean up for that team tomorrow. The dude is a doubles machine with a NL leading 30 doubles, he's batting 290, he walks (57BB) as much as he strikes out (60 Ks), he isn't a fake switch hitter either, the dude has power from both sides of the plate with 7 homers in 247 at bats from the left side, and 8 homers in 97 at bats from the right side. Keep in mind that he plays in Citi Field so you could probably add 3-4 more home runs to his total. I'm a Mets Fan so I've seen every single Mets Game this year and trust me, Carlos Knee is 100%. I've been amazed with some of his speed running the base pads, he could still easily have 15-20SB by now, The Mets just aren't running him since they want to keep him healthy. Beltran is also still a very, very capable center fielder. What he lacks in speed now he makes up for with great instincts, and knowing the scouting report on every hitter. The dude is also really down to earth, he doesn't have a superstar ego at all.
I actually wanted to keep Beltran, I knew we weren't going to make the playoffs I just really wanted to see the Mets' line up fully healthy again (Minus Ike Davis) since we haven't seen that in what seems like three years. Now though, it appears there is a lot of buyers and not many sellers out there, with a lot of teams (Phillies, Giants, Braves, Pirates) desperate for offense and Carlos is by far the best hitter on the market, so what once was thought to be just a straight salary dump for the Mets now looks like they might get a nice prospect in return or even if the Giants would trade Jonathan Sanchez for Beltran since there doesn't seem like there is much room for him in the rotation and I just think it's time for a change of scenery for the guy, maybe a different pitching coach could finally get his control issue under wraps. Doing that would mean I wouldn't have to suffer through another Mike Pelfrey start...God, that guy just isn't good. He's somehow a sinker ball pitcher whose pitch ends up in the zone 50% of the time.
Melth - 13 years ago
BJ Upton is batting .171 at home and .285 in away games. He is 26 years old and under team control for another season. His defense is well above average, but his maturity is questionable. A team confident in its coaching staff could take Upton and unleash his full potential. Any team with this sort of confidence should go for Upton. He is clearly unhappy where he is now, and a change of scenery could do wonders for him and his career.
hunter - 13 years ago
someone else... Hunter Pence... best hitter on the market...hitting .309 with 11 homers and 61 RBIs on a crappy team... those numbers can only go up on a good team
Taylor - 13 years ago
Depends on the situation. If my team is expected to compete for years to come, someone on the way up ala Atlanta, maybe the better fit is Upton. I think he will improve offensively over time- and if he goes to the NL maybe even immediately. His ceiling is pretty high and he could be a potential superstar. If my team is a flash in the pan, with not a whole lot of an expected future ala Cleveland or Pittsburgh, I take the immediate offense with Beltran.
I must say, if possible, I go with Hunter Pence, though.
BigC - 13 years ago
I hope the Rays make the trade. I live in Tampa Bay. Hopefully BJ can take his caught looking strikeouts, swinging for a HR each at bat, caught stealing, lazy, bad attitude to the Washington Nationals. He is a perfect fit there. Nats overspent for overhyped Jason Werth, and signed gigalo "I might be your babies daddy" Elisha Dukes. We will be fine with Desmond Jennings in center field.
noise - 13 years ago
I think the defense is overstated here, too. Beltran has been at least above average fielding the position. I understand the team control and all, but when it comes to impact, there really isn't a discussion. BJ just doesn't hit enough to have a huge impact on a lineup like Beltran could.
Player BA / OBP / SLG
Beltran .291.393.520
Upton .229.310.395
AF - 13 years ago
It depends, of course, on what your team need is: do you need centerfield defense or do you need offense?
My team, the Giants, have an excellent fielding center fielder (Torres), and another one on his way up through the farm system (Gary Brown), and badly need offense, so Upton would seem to make very little sense from them. A team like the Rangers, on the other hand, could really use Upton.
Sox 37 - 13 years ago
someone else - Andre Ethier
Braves28 - 13 years ago
No way I trade for Upton the average is way too low to make an impact, also Beltran not only has a better average more homeruns and rbi, but most of all he has had huge success in october so that outweighs the defense.
kickingmule - 13 years ago
1) Having control over a .230 hitter with a history of attitude problems is not an advantage.
2) The whole "no arbitration-no draft picks" issue is overblown. No team would offer Beltran arbitration for fear they would be on the hook for 15 million.
I would be on the market for Carlos Betran....especially if i was in the Braves or Rangers shoes. If you look at the competition, the Braves are extremely lacking on offense. A bat like Beltran's could be a big part to them having success in clinching the wild card and being successfull later in October. They are already over the top on pitching and their defense is pretty good...they need that bat if they want to contend. The Rangers on the other hand have a great offense already but acquiring Beltran would give them an offense so potent to possibly match the Yankees or even the Red Sox putting them over the top in the AL West and giving them agood shot at getting back to the World Series. Upton is just not too enticing. I think the Braves would be better off t go after Michael Bourn if they can't get Beltran so they have a great leadoff man WITH the defense and speed as well.
Ill take Hunter Pence, thanks
I forgot to add in the beginning that I realize Beltran is a free agent at the end of the year, but Carlos could be the difference between A Championship Team, or missing the playoffs altogether. I don't think Upton would make an impact nearly that big on any team now or even in the future, the guys swing just can't be fixed. There is so many holes in it that the maximum I ever see him hitting is 250. He's basically a Young Mike Cameron, speed power, great fielder that strikes out way too much, doesn't hit for average, and is way too streaky....Except Upton has much more of an attitude than Cameron. Upton is a decent player, but he'll never be a franchise player....Maybe he's like the fourth or fifth guy on your player, but not much more than that.
First of all, Team Control and BJ Upton don't belong in the same sentence. Second of all, we already know the Rays wont be able to afford to re-sign Upton when his contract is up so why would you waste a prospect trading for him? Beltran is by far the best offensive player on the market. He could be traded anywhere and be batting clean up for that team tomorrow. The dude is a doubles machine with a NL leading 30 doubles, he's batting 290, he walks (57BB) as much as he strikes out (60 Ks), he isn't a fake switch hitter either, the dude has power from both sides of the plate with 7 homers in 247 at bats from the left side, and 8 homers in 97 at bats from the right side. Keep in mind that he plays in Citi Field so you could probably add 3-4 more home runs to his total. I'm a Mets Fan so I've seen every single Mets Game this year and trust me, Carlos Knee is 100%. I've been amazed with some of his speed running the base pads, he could still easily have 15-20SB by now, The Mets just aren't running him since they want to keep him healthy. Beltran is also still a very, very capable center fielder. What he lacks in speed now he makes up for with great instincts, and knowing the scouting report on every hitter. The dude is also really down to earth, he doesn't have a superstar ego at all.
I actually wanted to keep Beltran, I knew we weren't going to make the playoffs I just really wanted to see the Mets' line up fully healthy again (Minus Ike Davis) since we haven't seen that in what seems like three years. Now though, it appears there is a lot of buyers and not many sellers out there, with a lot of teams (Phillies, Giants, Braves, Pirates) desperate for offense and Carlos is by far the best hitter on the market, so what once was thought to be just a straight salary dump for the Mets now looks like they might get a nice prospect in return or even if the Giants would trade Jonathan Sanchez for Beltran since there doesn't seem like there is much room for him in the rotation and I just think it's time for a change of scenery for the guy, maybe a different pitching coach could finally get his control issue under wraps. Doing that would mean I wouldn't have to suffer through another Mike Pelfrey start...God, that guy just isn't good. He's somehow a sinker ball pitcher whose pitch ends up in the zone 50% of the time.
BJ Upton is batting .171 at home and .285 in away games. He is 26 years old and under team control for another season. His defense is well above average, but his maturity is questionable. A team confident in its coaching staff could take Upton and unleash his full potential. Any team with this sort of confidence should go for Upton. He is clearly unhappy where he is now, and a change of scenery could do wonders for him and his career.
someone else... Hunter Pence... best hitter on the market...hitting .309 with 11 homers and 61 RBIs on a crappy team... those numbers can only go up on a good team
Depends on the situation. If my team is expected to compete for years to come, someone on the way up ala Atlanta, maybe the better fit is Upton. I think he will improve offensively over time- and if he goes to the NL maybe even immediately. His ceiling is pretty high and he could be a potential superstar. If my team is a flash in the pan, with not a whole lot of an expected future ala Cleveland or Pittsburgh, I take the immediate offense with Beltran.
I must say, if possible, I go with Hunter Pence, though.
I hope the Rays make the trade. I live in Tampa Bay. Hopefully BJ can take his caught looking strikeouts, swinging for a HR each at bat, caught stealing, lazy, bad attitude to the Washington Nationals. He is a perfect fit there. Nats overspent for overhyped Jason Werth, and signed gigalo "I might be your babies daddy" Elisha Dukes. We will be fine with Desmond Jennings in center field.
I think the defense is overstated here, too. Beltran has been at least above average fielding the position. I understand the team control and all, but when it comes to impact, there really isn't a discussion. BJ just doesn't hit enough to have a huge impact on a lineup like Beltran could.
Player BA / OBP / SLG
Beltran .291.393.520
Upton .229.310.395
It depends, of course, on what your team need is: do you need centerfield defense or do you need offense?
My team, the Giants, have an excellent fielding center fielder (Torres), and another one on his way up through the farm system (Gary Brown), and badly need offense, so Upton would seem to make very little sense from them. A team like the Rangers, on the other hand, could really use Upton.
someone else - Andre Ethier
No way I trade for Upton the average is way too low to make an impact, also Beltran not only has a better average more homeruns and rbi, but most of all he has had huge success in october so that outweighs the defense.
1) Having control over a .230 hitter with a history of attitude problems is not an advantage.
2) The whole "no arbitration-no draft picks" issue is overblown. No team would offer Beltran arbitration for fear they would be on the hook for 15 million.