The San Francisco Giants are getting closer to a deal for New York Mets outfielder Carlos Beltran, two sources with knowledge of the trade talks said Wednesday.
One source said he was "95 percent sure" that it would get done before the July 31 trading deadline. When a second source was presented with that, he said, "You are on the right track. You are in the right direction."
As part of a package for Beltran, the Giants would include pitcher Zack Wheeler, sources told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney.
Earlier Wednesday, sources told Olney the Mets were making progress with both the Texas Rangers and the Giants in trade talks involving Beltran.
When Beltran signed his seven-year, $119 million contract with the Mets in January 2005, it included a complete no-trade clause that requires him to give permission before the Mets deal him.
Sources told Olney on Wednesday that the Cleveland Indians offered to take on Beltran's entire salary for the rest of the year, but were told that the outfielder would not consider going to Cleveland. The Indians walked away from the talks convinced that Beltran's agent, Scott Boras, is in control of the process.
Major League Baseball's trade deadline is 4 p.m. ET Sunday.
Amid speculation that Beltran might be hesitant to leave the National League for an American League team, Boras told ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick on Tuesday that one factor trumps all.
"This decision for Carlos is about the select group of teams where he feels he has a great chance to win," Boras said. "That's what this thing is about."
Beltran also has said he is not interested in serving as a designated hitter.
One source said he was "95 percent sure" that it would get done before the July 31 trading deadline. When a second source was presented with that, he said, "You are on the right track. You are in the right direction."
As part of a package for Beltran, the Giants would include pitcher Zack Wheeler, sources told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney.
Earlier Wednesday, sources told Olney the Mets were making progress with both the Texas Rangers and the Giants in trade talks involving Beltran.
When Beltran signed his seven-year, $119 million contract with the Mets in January 2005, it included a complete no-trade clause that requires him to give permission before the Mets deal him.
Sources told Olney on Wednesday that the Cleveland Indians offered to take on Beltran's entire salary for the rest of the year, but were told that the outfielder would not consider going to Cleveland. The Indians walked away from the talks convinced that Beltran's agent, Scott Boras, is in control of the process.
Major League Baseball's trade deadline is 4 p.m. ET Sunday.
Amid speculation that Beltran might be hesitant to leave the National League for an American League team, Boras told ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick on Tuesday that one factor trumps all.
"This decision for Carlos is about the select group of teams where he feels he has a great chance to win," Boras said. "That's what this thing is about."
Beltran also has said he is not interested in serving as a designated hitter.
Carlos Beltran-RFWed, 27 Jul 2011 15:24:31 ESTThe Mets completed the trade of Carlos Beltran on Wednesday by agreeing to send the six-time All-Star to the San Francisco Giants for one of their top prospects, either pitcher Zach Wheeler or outfielder Gary Brown, according to two people familiar with the situation. The deal is not expected to be announced until Thursday because Beltran has 24 hours to sign off on the trade.
