Charles Beltran, Esq. And, yes, the umpires did screw them. Royally. I hate blaming officials for everything, but that was atrocious. You shouldn't have to make that pitch when you've already made it.
Moving on.
Some good did come out of that. Other than Lucas Duda's slugging percentage, the Rangers were eyeing outfielder Carlos Beltran and reliever Francisco Rodriguez.
Rodriguez pitched once -- Sunday -- over the weekend and was roughed up for two runs. He's got a 3.65 ERA and a .271 BAA. Still, he's converted 20 saves and struck a batter out per inning. And, he beats up his father-in-law. Cheerful!
Beltran's been the bane of the New York Mets faithful (outside of Bernie Madoff, of course) since signing that seven-year, $119 million deal in 2005. He hasn't played 100 games in two years. He's having a fine year now batting .278 with 49 RBI (five against the Rangers).
This is Beltran's final year of that contract and Mets are in semi-retreat already double-digit games out of the division lead, which is going to go to the Philadelphia Phillies, sooner or later.
Rodriguez is just 29, but he's been beaten up (so to speak) on the field and off. He's in the final year of a three-year, $37 million deal with a team option for 2012 totaling ... wait for it ... $17.5 million (!!!), which automatically vests if Rodriguez "finishes" 100 games between 2010-11 or 55 games in 2011 (there is a $3.5 million buyout). By "finished," I assume they mean saved. With 55 saves this season and the unliklihood of him getting 55 this year, that year won't vest.
Rodriguez would go into the eighth or ninth inning role, depending on Neftali Feliz' ability to get outs. He's be a big, ballsy arm in the bullpen, exactly what the Rangers need.
Beltran, I would assume, would be the everyday centerfielder with Josh Hamilton in left and Nelson Cruz in right. This leaves Dave Murphy, Julio Borbon, Craig Gentry and Endy Chavez on the bench or stuck in the minors. Beltran's also a handy switch hitter, although he's better from the left side of the plate. That's a lot of tools in the outfield if this should come down.
Love the Rangers being in the rumor mill. It's quality stuff.
