…i would certainly hope not…i mean, this is one of the best centerfielders in baseball, and as i said yesterday, the Mets should be building a steady core up the middle, and taking away this piece is part of the foundation of that core…

Speier says that according to a Major League source, the Mets will not even entertain the idea of dealing Beltran, and that they will be very active in adding pieces this offseason.

…Matt said earlier that Beltran would be more revered earlier after he left because people would realize what he brought to the table which is more than most…i look at this past season as being a good indication of what the Mets would be without Beltran, as the team was 34-33 up until he went on the disabled list and they were 30-44 while he was on it…

Noble says “…how many clubs are looking to assume a $37 million obligation for two years? Moreover, who plays center field for the Mets? Beyond that, are other clubs sure about his physical condition?”

…i would be more concerned to find out that the Mets are even entertaining trading Beltran…he definitely missed a lot of time this year due to that knee injury and the team seemed to have suffered the most when he went down, but i am not too worried about him next year, provided he gets the proper attention and rest that he needs…

…Beltran is as good of a center fielder as there is, and if his knee is healthy, there aren’t too many center fielders that i would have faith in patrolling that position at Citi Field…and like Noble says in his answer to the question, who would they get to replace him anyway…it’s not in the Mets best interest to create such a hole when there are so many other glaring problems to address…

For Noble’s answers to other questions, check out Mets.com.

…this is the first quiet .330+ batting average i can ever remember, although it will encompass only about a half of the season…

Beltran claims he is not in any pain, but Jerry Manuel thinks that he is subconsciously compensating for his knee to protect himself, which could be a cause for his drop in power, as he feels his swing is “not as fluid” as he would like it to be.

…what was the cause of the drop prior to the injury, Jerry…

After the game, Beltran declared himself 100 percent and said “I’m good to go.”

He also offered words of caution, telling Laura Albanese of Newsday:

“…It’s been two months and a half out. I don’t expect to be great out there. It’s going to take time.”

Although there has been no official word as to when Beltran might be activated, he is hoping that he returns to action tomorrow against the Marlins at Citi Field.

After yesterday’s game, Jerry Manuel told reporters that Maine might pitch one of the two games of their doubleheader against the Phillies next Sunday at Citizens Bank Park.

Maine hasn’t pitched since being shutdown on June 6 with, what doctors call weakness in his right shoulder, and he is 5-4 with a 4.52 ERA in 11 appearances this season.

In addition, Carlos Beltran might be activated in time for Tuesday’s game against the Marlins at Citi Field.

Beltran played all nine innings for the Cyclones last night at KeySpan Park, delivering a walk off RBI single in their win over the Spinners.

He is expected to play all nine innings once again today.

…i just wish i was posting this in the middle of July rather than the beginning of September…

He did play through seven innings in center field before coming out.

Beltran is expected to play again tonight for the Cyclones, and is 1 for 8 in three rehab games.

He is scheduled to start in the field tomorrow and play five innings.

Today in Port St. Lucie, Carlos Beltran ran the bases for the first time since June.

In order for him to increase his workload and return to the Mets, he will have to pass an MRI exam, which has yet to be scheduled.

After the workout, Beltran told reporters:

“I took balls going back, to the sides, coming forward. I didn’t feel anything in what I did out there.”

…this is certainly encouraging and the fact that he is pain free for two days is a fantastic sign, but like I said earlier today, i’ll believe he is ok when I see him roaming center field in a game, not during batting practice…

About Beltran’s return, Manuel told reporters:

“I’m very optimistic about that at this point. Tomorrow will be a determining factor. It depends on how he responds to the work he did today. Can he do the same thing tomorrow that he did today? That will be very key for us in the progression of things.”

…With the way injuries have been discussed and handled over the last 3+ seasons, I need to see Beltran on the field and in a game to believe he has progressed…

…its great that he is progressing, but we know that this can be a complicated injury and at this point, with the team so far out of playoff contention, I would rather he be shutdown completely if he isn’t 100 percent…