So, maybe there's something to those Carlos Beltran rumors after all?
Originally reported by ESPN's Adam Rubin, the Red Sox' interest was originally considered not to go further than looking at Beltran as a "theoretical option." But according to the Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo, the Red Sox and the outfielder met again Tuesday night.
Beltran, who will turn 34 in April, is owed $18.5 million in 2011, the final year of his seven-year, $119-million contract he signed with the New York Mets after the 2004 season. He's only appeared in a total of 145 games the past two seasons combined because of knee troubles, but his numbers all improved in 2010 after his season debut on Jul. 15, including a .967 OPS in September and October (21 games). In his last full season (2008), Beltran slugged .500 with 27 home runs with an OPS+ of 129.
According to the Globe's Peter Abraham, the Mets "believe Beltran will have a lot of motivation going into 2011 to resurrect his career and that he is finally healthy."
Any potential deal would only make sense for the Sox if the Mets were willing to pay some of his $18.5 million in 2011. More from Over The Monster:
Basically an extreme version of Ordonez, Beltran hits lefties better (.321/.398/.615 over the same period), has a bigger injury risk despite being younger thanks to his damaged knees, and of course costs a lot more. If the Sox can get the Mets to pay enough of that, though, he also brings a much better glove to the equation, a higher cieling, and in the unlikely case that arbitration doesn't end up being too dangerous to offer, would likely be at least a Type-B.