Baseball: Mets chasing Delgado, Beltran

The Mets have offered a contract to Carlos Delgado and are seriously weighing a significant push for Carlos Beltran.
Yet behind the scenes they recognize they might get shut out on the Carloses and be forced to revisit a trade for Sammy Sosa if they intend to obtain a major position player this offseason.

The lust for Beltran has gained momentum within the organization, with GM Omar Minaya pushing the concept. Minaya is expected to lead a contingent that includes at least his special assistant, Tony Bernazard, and Jeff Wilpon to meet next week with Beltran and his agent, Scott Boras, perhaps in Puerto Rico.

Among the items the Mets are planning to use to try to persuade Beltran to come to Flushing is cultural comfort. They intend to point out that, unlike the Yankees, they have integrated Latins in places of stature throughout the organization, including Minaya, Bernazard, new coaches Sandy Alomar Sr. and Jerry Manuel, and new trainer Ray Ramirez.

But Beltran is a major Boras client, so, in the end, money will be the major factor. It is in that area the Mets are uncertain they can compete.

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