Carlos Beltran, Angel Pagan, Willie Harris, Scott Hairston and Tim Byrdak could all be on the move this week. Beltran has a lot of suitors and the Mets are going to deal him to the highest bidder among the Red Sox, Yankees, Indians, Rangers, Phillies, Braves, Pirates, Diamondbacks and Giants. He is the top trade chip the Mets have available right now. CF Angel Pagan is falling out of favor with the Mets this year so they might try to deal him to a team like the Rangers, Indians or Braves who each have needs in CF. Willie Harris and Scott Hairston likely won’t bring back much for the Mets in a trade with the White Sox, Angels or Braves who are on the hunt for backup outfielders. Lefty reliever Tim Byrdak will draw a lot of interest in the trade market as not too many lefties are available right now. The Yankees, Red Sox, Phillies, Brewers, Cardinals and Diamondbacks could use a pitcher like Byrdak. The Mets say that they are going to keep catcher Ronny Paulino, lefty starting pitcher Chris Capuano and righty reliever (closer) Jason Isringhausen. If the Mets are truly rebuilding, then they should deal that trio too for prospects.

With Carlos Beltran back in action the Mets are shifting Angel Pagan to RF. That leaves 26-year old righty swinging outfielder Jeff Francoeur on the bench. Francoeur has played in 92 games for the Mets this season and he is 76 of 308 (.247 avg, .677 OPS) with 34 runs scored, 8 homers, 42 RBIs and 7 stolen bases. The Mets are going to try to trade Francoeur because he will likely mope sitting on the bench. If not by July 31st, then some time in August the Mets will try to deal Francoeur. Despite his age, I don’t think the Mets will get a big haul in return for him.

The biggest need on the Mets is starting pitching. With that in mind I would go after Jake Westbrook with the idea of the Indians paying him the rest of the year. For that I would give up 20-year old righty starting pitcher Kyle Allen, 25-year old righty reliever Bobby Parnell and 20-year old righty swinging 2B/SS Ruben Tejada. Then remembering that the Mets aren’t in the best financial situation right now I would try to make a couple of minor deals. I really like infielder Jeff Keppinger of the Astros and I would be willing to part with 25-year old righty reliever Tobi Stoner to get him. I think the Astros would make that deal. Keppinger then could battle Luis Castillo for the 2B job while backing up at SS and 3B. The Brewers are dangling righty reliever Carlos Villanueva in the trade market and I think he would be a good fit for the Mets. The Brewers would probably take 23-year old lefty swinging 2B/SS Jordany Valdespin and 25-year old infielder Justin Turner for him. So if I were the Mets’ GM I would try to bring in Jake Westbrook, Jeff Keppinger and Carlos Villanueva. Those aren’t sexy names on the trade market but they would make the Mets a better team without a doubt.

The Mets could use a top of the rotation starting pitcher, a right reliever, an everyday 2B and some bench help. To fill all of those holes the Mets will likely have to settle on second tier types of players. This likely leaves the Mets out in the cold as far as Roy Oswalt, Cliff Lee and Dan Haren are concerned. The Mets will likely lower their sites to guys like Jeremy Guthrie, Jake Westbrook, Fausto Carmoma, Ricky Nolasco and possibly Edwin Jackson. With Luis Castillo still hurting the Mets need a legit 2B instead of Ruben Tejada or Alex Cora. Ty Wigginton, Mike Aviles, Mark Ellis, Adam Kennedy, Ryan Theriot, Mike Fontenot, Jeff Keppnger and Kelly Johnson each make sense to me. John McDonald, Willie Bloomquist, Julio Lugo, Craig Counsell, Jeff Baker and Geoff Blum would make decent utility infielders for the Mets. If they get a new starting 2B they won’t need to add a bench player as Alex Cora would fill that role. Gabe Gross, Jack Cust, Jim Edmonds, Jason Michaels and Xavier Nady make sense for the Mets also in the outfield. The Mets also really need help from the right side of the bullpen. They should be looking at guys like Jason Frasor, Koji Uehara, Kyle Farnsworth, Brad Ziegler, Michael Wuertz, Brandon Lyon, Carlos Villanueva, Todd Coffey, D.J. Carrasco and Chad Qualls. The Mets will be busy making moves this month just don’t expect a blockbuster.

The Mets could really use a upgrade at 2B and a starting pitcher. Five teams match up pretty well with the Mets and here’s a look at them:

Baltimore Orioles: The O’s have Kevin Millwood or Jeremy Guthrie and Ty Wigginton to offer the Mets but they wouldn’t come cheap as the Orioles would likely ask for SS Ruben Tejada, 1B/OF Daniel Murphy and either Fernando Nieve or Manny Acosta. I think I would target Guthrie and make the deal if the Orioles wanted to.

Oakland A’s: The A’s have Ben Sheets and Mark Ellis which would give the Mets two solid upgrades. They would probably want SS Ruben Tejada, OF/1B Daniel Murphy, 1B/OF Chris Carter and Fernando Nieve. I would think about making that trade before saying no based on Sheets’ and Ellis’ injury history.

Kansas City Royals: The Royals have Gil Meche and Chris Getz to offer the Mets. They would probably want Josh Thole, Fernando Nieve, Manny Acosta and Daniel Murphy for them. This is a trade I would definitely consider making as Getz is a young, fast player who could play a long time with the Mets.

Cleveland Indians: The Indians have Jake Westbrook and Mark Grudzielanek. The Indians would likely be after guys like Daniel Murphy, Fernando Nieve and Manny Acosta. This would have to be another deal to really consider as the Mets could replace all of the guys they would be giving up.

Houston Astros: It’s too bad the Mets don’t have the money to go after Roy Oswalt because he would be a outstanding fit for their team. Wandy Rodriguez or Brett Myers along with Jeff Keppinger would definitely make the Mets a better team. The Astros would likely want Ruben Tejada, Josh Thole and filler types like Daniel Murphy, Chris Carter and Fernando Nieve. I would make that kind of deal for Rodriguez but not Myers.

With the current condition of the Mets’ starting rotation they need to make a move sooner rather than later or they are going to wind up being a seller at the trade deadline.