Carlos Beltran = best CF in baseball.

I read this article over at WasWatching.com which basically analyzes another article which says that the Yankees missed the boat on Beltran and Santana. However they go on to say that Beltran is "soft" and the Yankees are better off with out him. He also goes on to say that Johnny Damon has been arguably just as good with the bat outside of Beltran's 2006 season. Let me say that it is an absurd to say that Damon is as good as Beltran. Beltran is best center fielder in the game. I bet while reading that you probably disagreed right away. Take a minute to think about the rest of the center fielders in the MLB right now. Who is better? Beltran is not only the best center fielder in the game right now but he is also one of the most underrated players in the game right now.

The only other CF's who are worth arguing for are Josh Hamilton, Grady Sizemore, Ichiro, and Curtis Granderson. Defensively, Beltran is the best out of the group with only Ichiro a close second. Hamilton without a doubt is having a monster season and has the potential to be the best (although it would be close because of his defense) but I wont give him the title as the best after only one season. Sizemore is very good and is in the midst of a great season but his defense and his arm especially are average. Beltran has the potential to be a 40 HR guy but he has been a bit unlucky this year and despite putting up low HR totals has still had a great overall season. He is one of the smartest players in the game and has the best stolen base success rate in history. Beltran is a 5 tool player. He plays great defense, has a great arm, has good power, has good speed, and can hit for a decent average. Sizemore does not have a good arm and hits for an average even lower than Beltran's. Ichiro does not have good power at all. Hamilton is not fast and does not possess Gold Glove defense. Granderson is also a 5 tool player but is not as good as Beltran at this point in time. This current season Beltran ranks third among CF's in VORP (value over replacement player) (behind only Sizemore and Hamilton) and 17th overall. VORP also does not take into consideration a player's defense. This is quite amazing considering how everyone is considering Beltran's season as a disappointment and because of the slow start Beltran had due to his recovery from off-season knee surgery. Beltran has recently gotten hot and is in the midst of an 11-game hitting streak. This is also when the Mets needed him most with the Phillies only 2.5 games behind.

Here are Beltrans's overall stats for the year.

• Avg .285
• HR 24
• RBI 103
• Runs 108
• SB 21

Carlos Beltran is a great player and the Mets are very lucky to have him. He is a quiet leader and is a good guy. He is the best center fielder in baseball today.