http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/story/221047p-190038c.html Beltran to Bronx? Bernie won't stand in his way By DARREN EVERSON DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER Carlos Beltran has failed to turn Astros into contenders, but says he'd love to be a Yankee next year. Carlos Beltran started in center field last night at Shea for the fading Astros, but it sounds like he could wind up manning that position in the Bronx next season. It sounds that way because, according to Beltran, Bernie Williams is all for it. "I talked to him this year," Beltran said before his Astros took on the Mets, "and he said, 'Man, I wish you could play for my team. If you play for my team, I'd move.'" Beltran, the 27-year-old, five-tool star the Astros obtained from the Royals in a pennant push, is due to become one of baseball's most sought-after free agents this offseason. He said he wants two things in his future home: the chance to play for a postseason contender, and the opportunity to play center. The Yankees, who are sure to court Beltran, definitely can meet one of those conditions. As for the other, the Bombers, of course, have the 35-year-old Williams, who is signed for next season and has an option for 2006. "I'm young," Beltran said. "I'm 27. If I go there, it would have to be for me to play center field." But based on Beltran's conversation with Williams, which occurred when the Royals visited the Yankees earlier this season, it appears Williams wouldn't stand in the way. "So that really gave me a good (feeling)," said Beltran, who added that Williams, his Puerto Rican countryman, is also his favorite player. "And at the same time, I say that I wish I could have the opportunity to play with him on the same ballclub. I think it would be great for me. He's always been the guy that I've looked up to since before I signed. I think it would be great if I got the opportunity to play with him." Of course, it also would be great for the Yankees, who would instantly get younger at a key position. So far in Houston, the acquisition of Beltran hasn't worked out. At 55-57, the Astros trail the Cubs by six games in the wild-card race. Beltran's overall numbers look good (.263, 27 homers, 77 RBI), but with the Astros he is hitting .235 with a .316 on-base percentage in 40 games after going 0 for 4 last night. "We're not playing the game right," said Hidalgo, who also made an error in the Mets' three-run fourth. "When we need to get a hit, we don't get a hit. We don't make the right pitch when we're supposed to make the right pitch. We just haven't been together since I got traded here." That kind of play would go over even worse in New York. Beltran insists, however, that he could handle the pressure of playing here. "I don't worry about me," he said. "I worry about doing my thing, doing my job and helping my team. It seems like in New York, there's always a lot of media and they're always picking on little things, but sometimes you've got to be strong mentally and forget about it and just go out there and take care of your business. "I think I'd be pretty good," Beltran added with a smile. "I'm a very confident guy."
Pretty unprofessional to talk about leaving for the Yankees during the middle of the season after he said he might want to resign here.
Can we just blow this thing up and start over, Biggio, Bagwell, Berkman and Everett can stay, Bags and Bidge forever if they want; anyone else get the F out.
Oswalt and Lidge, yeah, I forgot the pitchers but Morgan isn't doing so hot is he? /Haven't tuned in much this year at all
the first sentence says he'd love to play in new york.. where does it say that? I read the article and the quotes say he'd like to play with bernie williams one day.. but he doesnt say "i'd love to play for new york"
I don't want Beltran here ... He is a good (probably great) player that is going to command way too much money. I don't expect nor demand that Drayton give up that kind of money when we can put a better team together filling several pieces for that kind of money. From what I've seen this season, Beltran has been a loafer half of the time and he plays with the heart and enthusiasm of the lead character in Napolean Dynamite (gotta see that movie if you havn't). He possesses a mere shadow of the effort and determination that Biggio and Bagwell have given to this club for more than a decade and certainly deserves no preference over either of them in my opinion. Very unclassy of him to talk about this before the offseason.
