Amid rumors, Beltran tries to stay focused

PHOENIX -- Carlos Beltran's journey back to the All-Star Game encompassed four years, countless hours of rehabilitation and a few conflicts with his employers.

And one conversation with the man who might be his next manager.

It seemed both fitting and foreshadowing that Beltran arrived in town late Sunday night on the same plane as Giants and National League manager Bruce Bochy, who informed him that he will be the NL's starting designated hitter. The Mets and Giants, having played each other Sunday night at AT&T Park, shared a plane for their All-Star representatives, which is standard operating procedure.

At a time when Beltran has newly endeared himself to Mets fans, he also is showcasing himself to prospective suitors. In the last year of his contract, Beltran could be dealt by as soon as the July 31 non-waivers trading deadline. And the offense-starved Giants are viewed within the industry as a leading contender for Beltran's services.

"Honestly, you think about it. It goes through your head, but you can't focus on that," Beltran said Monday. "You really have to focus on going to the ballpark, getting ready, trying to help the team win.

"At the same time, after you're listening every day -- you might get traded here, you might get traded over here -- you try not to focus on that.

"You try to focus on what's important. It's playing the game of baseball and trying hard to win ballgames any way you can."

With Jose Reyes on the disabled list with a strained left hamstring, Beltran, 34, is the Mets' best remaining healthy player. The Mets, 46-45 at the break, trail the Braves by 7 1/2 games in the chase for the National League wild card, and three other teams stand between the Braves and Mets.

Mets first-year general manager Sandy Alderson will have to weigh the potential trade return on Beltran, who controls his own destiny with a no-trade clause, against the weakening of his 2011 club and potential alienation of an angry fan base.

"I spoke to Sandy when they were in [Los Angeles last week]," said Beltran's agent, Scott Boras. "We're just going to kind of let time operate a little bit here to see where the Mets go. I don't think you want to talk about other teams when you're in the position the Mets are in, because it's not unusual for teams to go on hefty streaks.

"But when the time comes, obviously, we'll deliberate."

Other teams looking for offense include Seattle, Philadelphia and Atlanta, but it's difficult to envision the Mets sending Beltran to an NL East rival.

The Giants are willing to add to their payroll and, as defending World Series champions, want to build on their current run. The more money the Mets supply in the trade -- Beltran has another $8 million or so coming to him -- the more talent the Mets can expect in return.

"At this point, all I want to do is be in the playoffs," said Beltran, who said he has no desire to leave the Mets. "You work hard in spring training to be in situations like this."

And he worked hard the last few years to overcome a nearly debilitating right knee injury, which the Mets pushed him to play through in 2009 and which he wound up getting surgically repaired in 2010 against the Mets' wishes. When he barely played in spring training this season, no one foresaw an All-Star season.

"It is special," Beltran said. "I see this as a gift from God, after everything I went through last year and through the rehab, trying to get back on the field. Thanks to God, I was able to put a good first half together and be here in the All-Star Game. It's a good feeling."