Beltran told ESPN.com on Sunday that he would prefer to remain in the National League, and warned AL teams that he would not be willing to switch from outfield to designated hitter.
"I want to make it clear that I would love to play in the outfield," Beltran said. "So I'm not going to an American League team to be a DH. That's something I'm not willing to do, and I'm not going to do it because I feel it's not going to work for me."
Although he spent his first seven seasons in the American League, Beltran said that he feels more at home in the NL, where he has spent the second half of his career.
"Right now, I feel so comfortable with the National League," he said. "I've been here seven years. I feel comfortable here. … It's just seven years that I haven't played in the American League."
The current Mets right fielder has not ruled out the possibility of playing in the AL, as the Red Sox and Rangers are reportedly still in the running, but any trade must involve Beltran remaining at his natural position.
This news should not dissuade the Red Sox, who are set at DH (with David Ortiz) but questionable in right field, but some believe the price to acquire Beltran — both in prospects and in salary — could outweigh his potential production and ultimately lead the Sox to pass on the 34-year-old.
