So what do you guys think about trading for BJ Upton instead, especially since Beltran is (according to Starks) giving the finger to Tx? Offensively he's not as good as Beltran but he's a much better defensive player and under team control through 2012, which gives Martin more time to cook in AAA.

No gentry Is great defensively and chavez is hitting better then upton I don't see why you'd give up top prospects for a guy like upton. Tremendous talent bad makeup

Nailed it

YES! How many head cases players have the rangers brought in and turned to superstars? ... too many (Hambone, Milton, etc.). Getting Upton would let Hambone continue to play LF as opposed to switching to CF if we got Beltran. Who knows if Martin will be ready soon and if he will even be able to handle the bigs? He's only been here a few weeks and we're saying he's our CF for the next 10 years. It's a big gamble on martin to pass up Upton. But JD always knows what he's doing so I trust him. But think of that bat and speed at the no. 9 spot - he'd basically be a better hitting, better fielding, just-as-fast Borbon. I'd take it.

BJ. heh heh.

Where is this idea that Beltran has an attitude coming from? Not to mention his giving Texas the finger?

His exact quote according to Adam Rubin of ESPN is "I made it clear to them that teams that are in contention are the ones that I'm willing to go to."

He followed that quote up with this one about Atlanta, Philidelphia, San Francisco, Texas and Boston "Well, those teams are in first place -- almost. The only one that is not in first place is Atlanta, but they're ahead in the wild card. Yeah, if that happens, I would love to be with one of those teams."

It seems to me Beltran first and foremost wants to be traded to a contender. Outside of that he has some preferences but then who doesn't have preferences especially when your next contract is at stake.

Upton's a nice player but Tampa is in a position to deal from strength. He's likely going to cost a similar package as Beltran yet he is an inferior player.

But rangers would have Upton beyond this year if they got him. Plus, when Beltran walks, rangers get nothing.

Upton would cost more prospects, and why would you want upton next year with Martin ready I think rite now?

That's the key - who knows if he'll actually be ready... will Martin be better than Upton next year? I'd lean towards Upton, especially in the rangers clubhouse. But, I do admit, I know little to nothing about Leonys.

Definitely not an ignorant . I never accused Beltran of having an attitude, but Joey posted yesterday, "The source, who was not present for the conversation, said Beltran doesn't want to approve a deal to Texas because the Rangers would want him to play center field and because he's not familiar with the AL West. Texas has been described by multiple sources to have ramped up its pursuit of Beltran over the weekend." Now he has recently tweeted that this source is not true and he will approve a trade to the AL as long as he doesn't have to play DH. Before this tweet, however, there were sources that suggested that Beltran wanted no part of the Rangers

Beltran told Mike Puma of the NY Post, "I have not told (the Mets) I won't play for an American League team. I don't know where that is coming from."

Well it looks like Martin is tearing it up in AAA/AA and I'd rather give him a chance with Chavez as the 4th OF then Upton getting paid 6 Mill+ next year holding Martin back. And let's say he doesn't do well and then the cardinals are more willing to trade Colby rasmus you can't deny Rasmus>upton