The San Francisco Giants have done just about everything they could to make new rightfielder Carlos Beltran feel welcome. First, manager Bruce Bochy gave up his No. 15 to the six-time all-star, and then he dropped him smack-dab in the middle of the lineup in the No. 3 spot.
If that wasnt enough, the Giants contingent gave Beltran a ride on the team plane to Arizona for the All-Star Game a couple of weeks ago. That was where closer Brian Wilson went on television after the midsummer classic and prodded general manager Brian Sabean to make the deal to get Beltran.
It was almost as if Beltran was an honorary member of the Giants with a chance for his membership to be upgraded.
We didnt know if this was going to get done completely, but Im happy to be here and Im happy to be a part of a team that already has something going for them, Beltran said.
But now that he has arrived, the Giants are counting on Beltran to help them win another World Series title.
Im happy, Beltran said. I got my number, Im playing right fieldIm looking forward to helping the team.
Well, yeah.
MLB
Of course, Beltran has been in this position before. In 2004 he was the missing piece for the Houston Astros, belting 23 homers in 90 games before putting together a postseason for the ages with eight homers and 14 RBIs in 12 games. It was off of that playoff performance that Beltran got a seven-year, 119 million deal from the Mets that he is finishing up right now. Another strong finish with the Giants could get him a decent contract from next year and beyond.
Im not thinking about 04. I already got paid for 04, Beltran said somewhat ironically when asked about the last time he was involved in a mid-season trade.
Though he was teamed with Pedro Martinez, Johan Santana, David Wright, Jose Reyes and Carlos Delgado, Beltran never delivered a World Series title to the New York Mets. Mostly, his time in with the Phillies fiercest rival in the NL East has been marked by epic collapses and injuries. In fact, Beltran hasnt played a full season since 2008.
Beltran has, however, had decent success against the Phillies, belting 22 homers against them since joining the Mets, with 12 of them coming in Citizens Bank Park. Since many teams are in the market for a top-notch hitter to play the outfield (right-handed preferably), Beltran had been linked to trade talk with the Phillies.
As it turned out, it was just a lot of talk. According to Beltran, the only team the Mets asked him to waive his no-trade clause for was the Giants.
They never approached me about going to Philadelphia, Beltran said. The only team they approached me about was the Giants, yesterday, and of course I said yes.
So, what does Beltran landing with the defending champion Giants mean for the Phillies? Well, it depends on who you ask. The sentiment around the Phillies clubhouse seemed to be one of mild interest, but not exactly a shot fired across the bow. Like any veteran team with the goal of winning the World Series, the folks in the Phillies clubhouse believe they have what is needed.
They just have to get it healthy.
The Giants could not wait for their top hitters to get healthy. Reigning NL Rookie of the Year Buster Posey is out for the rest of the season, while former National League hitting champ Freddy Sanchez has been out for most of July with a dislocated shoulder. Even though the Giants have a 3-game lead over the rest of the NL West, they rank next-to-last in runs and at the bottom quarter in homers and batting average.
Im just looking to be a part of what they already have, Beltran said, clearly alluding to the Giants pitching and 2010 World Series title.
In other words, the Giants just didnt need to get Beltran they had to get him.
When you lose two of the elite players in the gameespecially offensive playersit just made sense for us, Bochy said. It was more of a case of what we needed.
Last season the Giants leaned on guys like Aubrey Huff, Pat Burrell and Cody Ross to carry the load with Sanchez and Posey. Now, the rest of the Giants have to set the table for Beltran. Its a situation not unlike the one Beltran was in with the Metsexcluding the pitching.
He has a way about him in our lineup that we think we need, Bochy said.
OK, Phillies your move.
E-mail John R. Finger at jfinger@comcastsportsnet.com.
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