UPDATE: As reported by the NY Post
No surgery for Beltran
The Metsgot positive news on Carlos Beltran
According to a report in the NY Post, New York Mets outfielder Carlos Beltran could be facing season ending knee surgery, which could potentially jeopardize his career.
The Mets confirmed yesterday that Beltran was in Vail, Colo., receiving a second opinion on his ailing right knee. This time he will hear from orthopedic surgeon Richard Steadman, the same doctor who performed on Alex Rodriguez hip earlier in the season. Steadman apparently developed the micro fracture surgery in the early 90's, which makes him one of the foremost leading experts in this type of procedure.
Beltran was convinced to get a second opinion from his agent Scott Boras.
Here is what the Mets assistant GM had to say about Beltran's decision to get a second opinion.
"It's a group decision that they want to have another view of it,"
With a player of this importance to us, there's no argument on our end to get another look."
Beltran has already had arthroscopic surgery on both his knees following the 2007 season, which makes the futility of this situation all the more serious.
This news is certainly another blow to the Mets. The team has been decimated by injuries, and the loss of Beltran could be the straw that breaks the Camels back.
If Beltran elects to have the surgery he will definitely be out for the remainder of the season. Beltran is signed with the Mets through the 2011 season, and is owed $18.5 million over the next two seasons.
If in fact Beltran is done, I can't imagine the Mets making the postseason. The last two seasons have been brutal for Met fans, and many believed it couldn't get any worse. Apparently it can.
Yesterday I wrote a story regarding manger Jerry Manuel's public cry for help, where he spoke to the media and indirectly asked GM Omar Minaya to acquire another big bat.
If Minaya wasn't thinking about the idea before, he might definitely want to start thinking about it now.
The Mets, when healthy, are clearly one of the best teams in the National League, but given the state of their current roster it's difficult to imagine them contending.
Fortunately for Met fans they have the resources to acquire additional players. In this current trade market, and economy, a team's ability to add a large contract (which the Mets can) could be equally as valuable as having a strong farm system.
I don't expect Minaya to sit around and let the season go to waste. This concept is virtually inconceivable for any team in the New York market. I would think Minaya would be heavily shopping for an additional bat to solidify the offense. I can't imagine they will be able to acquire several players, so they may just have to try and stop the bleeding until some of their players get healthy.
The Mets, following a loss to the Brewers last night, fell to 37-38 and are three games behind the NL East leading Phillies.
If Met fans have one thing to hold their hat on it's this. They have been very fortunate that nobody in the NL East has run away with the division, so they still have a shot.
Listed below will be a few suggestions of players the Mets may be interested in acquiring. However, I would like to hear from the Met fans on this one. If you were Omar Minaya what would you do?
Matt Holliday- Would be the perfect solution for the Mets, however, A's GM Billy Beane would demand several of the Mets key prospects. Probably Fernando Martinez and Bobby Parnell plus more.
Jermaine Dye- Word keeps surfacing that Dye may be available. Could be an interesting option, being that he is 35 and has a large contract ($12 option for next year) the Mets may be able to reduce the level of prospects just to take the contact of the White Sox hands. However, it's still unclear whether the White Sox are going to be buyers or sellers.
Nick Johnson- He could help the Mets fill the void left by Carlos Delgado. Johnson is a really solid hitter, and very good defensively (which the Mets also need). The Nationals have made it clear that virtually anybody on the roster is available, however, I don't know if they want to trade within their own division, but they probably would.
Luke Scott / Aubrey Huff- The Orioles have placed the "for sale" sign on the front lawn, and their two most expected to go are Huff and Scott. Huff much like Johnson would help fill the void left at first base, but for the Mets I think Scott would be a better option.