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Can Mets Gets Domonic Brown for Carlos Beltran?

Is it possible that the Mets can pry Domonic Brown away from the Phillies for Carlos Beltran? If so, Sandy Alderson deserves to named Executive of the Century.

Several reporters have named the Phillies the frontrunner for Beltran (let’s put aside our disgust of making any kind of deal to help the hated Phillies). MetsBlog writes “…meaning Sandy Alderson will likely ask for top OF prospect Dominic (sic) Brown.” Of course, Alderson can ask for anything, but is there any possibility he would be successful?

brownThe odds are against it. Brown is a 23-year-old stud, a potential future superstar — do you give up a player like him for a two-month rental? No.

But…

Here’s the thing about the Phillies — they are built to win now. They’ve invested $165 million in payroll in order to win the World Series — this year, not next year. Jimmy Rollins and Raul Ibanez are free agents after the season, and Roy Oswalt has a $16 million club option. If the Phillies don’t win it all this year, if will be a huge disappointment. They will still have Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Chase Utley and Ryan Howard for the next few seasons, but the Phillies have a limited window — they will try to win while they still can.

With their offense struggling, is Beltran the guy who can out them over the top? If so, is it worth it to sacrifice a potential All-Star for a World Championship? Only the Phillies can answer these questions.

And here’s another thing — for all of his promise, Brown is struggling in the majors. In 82 games over the past two seasons, Brown is hitting just .235 with seven homers and 29 RBIs.  Everyone who sees Brown drools over his potential, but thus far he has not shown himself to be major league ready.

For the Mets, it is a no-brainer gamble. Beltran is gone after the season anyway — why not get a blue-chipper for him? As for the Phillies, it would be a difficult decision, but possibly a necessary one to get to the next level.

Oh, and by the way, I wrote the other day that the Mets should not pay a dime of Beltran’s salary if he’s traded unless they get an A+ prospect. Well, Brown certainly falls into that category.

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