Beltran trade a win for both clubs

July, 28, 2011

7/28/11

9:51

AM ET

By Jim Bowden | ESPN.com

The trade that sent Carlos Beltran from the New York Mets to the San Francisco Giants for pitching prospect Zack Wheeler is the old-school blueprint for a deadline deal. In fact, it's one I suggested earlier this week. The Giants, who were the "buyers," got the best bat available and improved their lineup significantly. The Mets, who were the "sellers," were able to leverage an impending free agent into a long-term asset. It's a win for both clubs.

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ABOUT THIS BLOG

Jim Bowden

Bowden, who served as the senior vice president and GM for the Cincinnati Reds and the Washington Nationals, is an analyst for ESPN.com. In 1992, Bowden became the youngest GM in MLB history when the Reds hired him at age 31. The Reds finished in first place twice during his 10 years as GM, and he was named MLB Executive of the Year by Baseball America in 1999. After working for ESPN in 2004, Bowden became the first GM of the Washington Nationals when the franchise relocated from Montreal to Washington, D.C., in 2005, working in that role until the 2009 season. Bowden co-hosts the "Inside Pitch" radio show on Sirius XM satellite radio. Follow on Twitter: @JimBowdenESPNxm.