From the Forum: Trade Carlos Beltran for Manny Ramirez and Jacoby Ellsbury

User "metsfan08" threw out a crazy idea on Mets Lounge this morning, something I want to hear other people's opinions on. Here it is, in it's entirety:

Last night I was listening to the WFAN and a caller had an interesting proposal for a trade for Manny Ramirez.

IF the BoSox were willing to trade both Jacoby Ellsbury AND Manny Ramirez in exchange for Carlos Beltran, should Omar Minaya make the trade?
Let's examine this hypothetical trade--
-The Mets would gain 2 outfielders for this season.
-Manny would be a rental because he might not be willing to sign with the Mets after this season. -Manny in the clean-up spot with Delgado hitting 5th.. WOW!
-Ellsbury is 25 y.o. and CHEAP!! Think of all the money we would save next year.. money we could use to pursue a 1st and/or 2nd baseman..

-The BoSox would not have to deal with Manny.
-They still have Coco Crisp so they would still have 3 outfielders.
-Beltran is 31 y.o. and is under contract until 2012.
-BoSox could still be in contention with Beltran in the line-up instead of Manny.

On paper, this trade looks like a win-win situation with the Mets getting the slightly longer end of the stick. As much as I LOVE Beltran, I must admit that Omar Minaya would have to be crazy to not jump on this trade. What do you guys think? Someone give me a reason to KEEP Beltran.. PLEASE!!

And here is user "nymrods" response:

I say yes because I'm a big Ellsbury fan, so I might be slightly partial, but...

Well, Manny makes up for the lack of power Ellsbury has (or doesn't) and Beltran did. Ellsbury is a good (Church-like) fielder, and young, so he'll improve. Now, Beltran is a wizard in the field, so we would be losing a little in the fielding, but I think Ellsbury's age is very promising. He will improve all around (this is only his first real season anyways). And besides, we'd have Manny. Older, but still amazing!!

Beltran (Avg #s): .279 BA; 26 HR; 108 RBI; .355 OBP (13th year)
Ellsbury (Avg #s): .286 BA; 5 HR; 32 RBI; .346 OBP (First starting season)
Ramirez (Avg #s): .312 BA; 30 HR; 98 RBI; .409 OBP (17th year)

Tough call. Honestly though, do we do it? I like the idea, but I don't think that it solves any problem.

And finally, my answer:

OK...let's see... Ellsbury is OK. Endy Chavez-esque in my opinion.
Manny has a team option for the next two years, at $20mil a pop.
We have enough money coming off the books next year...Alou for sure, Pedro almost for sure, Delgado maybe, Perez (hopefully re-sign)...
The Sox do not like Crisp, at all.

Reason?...You need reasons to keep him [Beltran]? OK, LOOK...Beltran was never an average hitter. Never has been, never will be. He hit .307 and .306 once...every other year he hovers around .275ish. He's driven in 100+ each year except that one miserable 2005.

He OPS .800-.900+ consistently. His OBP is usually .350+ Oh yeah, and he's one of, if not the best fielder in the NL...and tops in MLB. He makes everything look easy. DID YOU SEE YESTERDAY'S GAME!

Thoughts? Responses? Let's hear it on Mets Lounge or in the comments!