With the Mets having traded Francisco Rodriguez this week, the major question people seem to be asking is, “Are the Mets sellers?”

“Buying” or “selling”, however, is a false choice.

I think there is a good chance the Mets trade Carlos Beltran. To whom, I don’t know and more importantly we don’t know for what. What I think is most important to note is - a trade doesn’t have to just be be a “buy” or “sell”. A trade isn’t always just trading a proven player for unknown prospects, or vice-versa. There are other options, other players who can to be moved, and would be good fits on the Mets for the next two to three years, rather than two to three years from now.

So, here is some pure speculation as to some players I think would be fun for the Mets to look at in a trade involving Beltran, or other pieces they may look to move at the deadline (such as perhaps Jason Isringhausen):

• B.J. Upton - formerly one of the top prospects in baseball who was seen as an untouchable, the Rays are considering moving him, and his combination of speed and athleticism could help rejuvenate his career in the spacious Citi Field. Mentioned in a recent ESPN Insider piece as a buy-low candidate, Meds could be a good trade partner as the Rays could use a powerful outfield bat such as Beltran’s to try and replace him. Especially if the Mets cover Beltran’s costs for the season, this could be a very attractive option to the small-market Rays. MLB Trade Rumors’ Tim Dierkes recently listed the Rays as a team potentially looking to add a big outfield bat, such as Beltran’s, at the deadline. More and more, with the success of Reyes this season, it seems to make sense that the Mets should build a team around athleticism, and Upton fits right into that mold, despite his struggles.
• Gordon Beckham - also listed in the above ESPN piece, Beckham is like Upton in that he was a top prospect whose team is growing increasingly frustrated with his inconsistent play. Despite being a game below .500, the White Sox are only five games out of the lead in a shaky A.L. Central and GM Kenny Williams is never afraid of making an aggresive deadline deal. According to Dierkes, the White Sox are looking for an outfield bat and could be interested in Beltran, and perhaps they would be interested in a short term upgrade at 2B with Justin Turner while the Mets could invest in the long term potential of Beckham, who has more upside than Ruben Tejada or Turner.
• Madison Bumgarner - especially due to Brian Wilson’s comments at the All-Star game, Beltran-to-the-Giants is the most popular rumor these days. One name commonly thrown around is the Giants’ top pitching prospect, Zach Wheeler, though it isn’t known if the Giants would actually pony up that much for a rental. Perhaps, though, they would be willing to move Bumgarner, who since being arguably the top prospect in baseball, has proven to be good but not great thus far in his MLB career. This year, he has been the weak-link in the Giants rotation with a 4-9 record and 3.87 ERA. The Giants also will have a dillema on what to do with their rotation once Jonathan Sanchez comes off the D.L., and maybe they could keep their top prospect while moving Bumgarner, a lefty who I’d bet the Mets would be thrilled to take.
• Daniel Bard - say hello to the Mets closer of the future? Like the above teams, the Red Sox could have serious interest in Beltran and who knows what they might be willing to move for a shot at the title this year? Although current closer Jonathan Papelbon is a free agent at the end of the season, the Red Sox could try to resign him and have other internal options that might be able to fill Bard’s bullpen role, enough so to make it worth acquiring Beltran’s big bat. Maybe, the Red Sox would also be interested in Izzy or other pieces the Mets have to sweeten the offer.

Now, to be clear - this was just all speculation from a guy who would be interested in making a deal that isn’t neccesarily labeled under “buying” or “selling”, because moving Beltran and/or other pieces for players like these isn’t morgating the now, but it’s helping the team adjust its priorities to win over the next few years rather than only having a great talent who can help now. I’m not a GM. I’m not saying teams could do these deals straight up, but it’s fun to think about because players like these can get dangled at the deadline and could be right up the Mets alley, especially when they have arguably the best trade chip on the market.