Analysis: Carlos Beltran for Zack Wheeler

1. First of all, the Mets have lost one of their top 20 greatest players ever. The team immediately becomes less talented and less competitive in this year’s attempt to secure a wild card in the playoffs. He will be sorely missed.


2. The acquisition of Wheeler is a coup for Sandy Alderson. Beltran was gone anyway at the end of the year and every team knew they would only be dealing for a 3-month rent-a-player. Securing the top prospect in an organization is a stupid goal, but the Mets got it done.


3. Wheeler is a blue-chipper. He was one of the top pitchers in the 2009 draft and has been successful at both professional levels he has pitched at. I place him as the second top Mets pitching prospect, closely behind Matt Harvey.


4. You could see four new starters in the 2013 Mets rotation… Wheeler, Harvey, Jenrry Mejia, and Jeurys Familia. Michael Baron has already tagged them ‘Generation 2K’.


5. Wheeler has spent some time on the DL, but don’t get worried here. It was for a cracked fingernail.


6. This could change everything for some key Mets minor league pitchers, considering that there is a good chance there won’t be a rotation opening for any of them in the future. Successful pitchers like Chris Schwinden, Collin McHugh, Brandon Moore, and Darin Gorski might only have the pen to look for a Mets future. Struggling pitchers like Tobi Stoner, Scott Moviel, Robert Carson, and Kyle Allen might have more problems than that.


7. From where I stand, the opening day Binghamton rotation could be Harvey, Wheeler, Familia, Gorski, and Greg Peavey. Put that in your pipe and smoke it.


8. The 2011 Mets outfield will most probably consist of Jason Bay, Angel Pagan, Lucas Duda (Daniel Murphy will play 1B while Justin Turner plays 2B), Scott Hairston, Jason Pridie, and Willie Harris. There is no outfielder currently in the Mets organization ready to make the jump to Queens.


9. It is imperative that they sign first round draft pick, OF Brandon Nimmo. He, Cory Vaughn, and Matt den Dekker represent the future Mets outfield in 2014. Also, remember they still get two players from the K-Rod deal. Don't be surprsied if one of them is an outfielder.


10. But, don’t be surprised the Mets don’t dip into the free agent market and go get themselves a starting outfielder for 2013. Remember, with this deal, the Mets have now already reduced their 2012 salaries by $51,486,666.00. Five million a year spent wisely could get them someone to help out here.