Mets' Carlos Beltran: I Didn't Say No To American League Trade, Just DH
NEW YORK (WFAN) -- Carlos Beltran told reporters on Sunday that, sure, he'd accept a trade to the Red Sox or Rangers -- but he won't OK a deal to a team that would make him a designated hitter.
"I want to make it clear that I would love to play in the outfield. So I'm not going to an American League team to be a DH," Beltran, who has a no-trade clause, said. "That's something I'm not willing to do, and I'm not going to do it because I feel it's not going to work for me."
It didn't take long for rumors to circulate online that the slugger doesn't want to play in the American League. Beltran cleared the air on Monday.
"I have not told (general manager Sandy Alderson) I won't play for an American League team," he told the New York Post before the Mets' 4-2 win last night. "I don't know where that is coming from. It's not coming from me."
Beltran admitted he just wants to play for a contender. So yes, he said, the Rangers and Red Sox would be fine if he can play in the outfield. National League teams wouldn't be an issue. Philadelphia, Atlanta and San Francisco are reportedly interested.
"I'm not looking forward to go to the American League to DH," Beltran told the paper. "That's what I said."
Meanwhile, manager Terry Collins had a message for any Mets player ready to throw in the towel in the likely event of a Beltran trade.
"We've got guys that are playing for jobs," said Collins. "The minute they give up or quit, they won't be here next year."
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