Why the Mets and Mariners need each other

Marriage is a long term commitment. I know that's a silly suggestion, but the Mariners have a winning record and the Amazins' have several players that could help make the Mariners a legitimate contender.

The Mariners can't expect to compete for long with that offense, or lack thereof. They sorely need a middle of the order hitter and the sooner they can add one, the sooner the American League West becomes seriously contentious. The Mariners pitching has been incredible this season and largely responsible for their 37-35 mark while I write this. The Mets on the other hand have been competitive at times, but let's face it...the Mets have bigger issues than a losing record. Carlos Beltran, having a solid season and seems to also be healthy, which bodes well for the Mets and their expected return in any trade.

The Mariners have a sore need for a productive outfielder and Beltran fits the bill quite well. The switch hitter who can play all three outfield positions would be a boon to the lineup and the Mariners chances of taking a great start to perhaps a wild card berth in 2011. Beltran is owed just over 11 million bucks this season and the Mets, according to SI's Jon Heyman, are willing to eat some of that salary to land some "high" quality prospects in return.

The good news for Mets fans is that the Mets would gain much more than prospects in a trade like this. The Mets need to reshape their identity, and with a trade like this, that would pave a new road for the Mets and the Wilpons

So who can the Mets get from the Mariners for Beltran? Well, the list isn't wonderful, but the M's have a couple of solid pitching prospects, like Taijuan Walker and southpaw Mauricio Robles. These two pitchers have high upside potential, but are both very early on in their development. The Mets have some youth in the system as it is, but with a trade like this they can position themselves better financially. The prospect cupboard needs an infusion for the Mets to move beyond the mistakes that Omar Minaya and the Wilpons have created.