Some things you just can't make up. The NY Mets who had more injuries last year then were suffered in the Battle of the Bulge were apparently taken by surprised when they were notified by super agent Scott Boras that his client Carlos Beltran had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee and is not to take part in any baseball activities for 12 weeks.

With that type of time schedule he will not be available on opening day and won't be ready until June at the earliest.

The Mets did in fact know that Carlos Beltran was going to see Dr. Steadman in Colorado. They filled out the workers compensation forms for him to go. What they did not know was that he was going to have the consultation and actually have surgery without notifying them or speaking to them about it first.

The New York Post, citing an unnamed source, reported that "the Mets are threatening to take some form of action." In a press conference this afternoon the Mets did in fact state that they sent a letter to Boras that the Mets reserve the right to enforce their rights in their contract.

There is a dispute as to whether this surgery was elective surgery or necessary surgery.

Scott Boras said, "Beltran's contract only requires him to receive advance written permission for elective procedures. This was necessary surgery, necessary surgery to work."

Under the current CBA if it was elective surgery the Mets have a gripe, if it was necessary there is nothing that can be done.

This is not the first time a team has been in a dispute with Beltran over an injury and which side has the right to make the final decision on a course of treatment. The Royals suspended him for refusing to report to the team's complex in Florida for rehabilitation in 2000.

Whether or not the Mets attempt to take legal action, this is what it means for the Beltran and the Mets.

Beltran is done with the Mets. He was pissed at the way they handled his injury situation last year and his decision to not consult the Mets before surgery (which you would think would be appropriate) is a clear indication that that he has one foot out the door. There have been numerous reports that he attempted to force a trade during the off season, these actions only substantiate that. At this point he definitely will not be with the Mets at the conclusion of his current contract and it would not be surprising to find that he is traded sometime during this year (especially if the Mets are not in contention.)

Beltran has a point, as you recall the guys treating him were the same guys that treated the rock band ‘Spinal Tap.'

While there is nothing that could have been done if Beltran wanted to have the surgery, the Mets contend that they asked Beltran to have a third opinion before doing anything and that he ignored their request.

It's amazing how Scott Boras always seems to be in the middle of things. On Dec 9 we ran an article here titled, Will Scott Boras screw up this year's free agency. While we didn't expect this, it's par for the course for him and par for the course for the Mets.

It's odd that the Mets even had a press conference to address this.  GM Omar Minaya was not present as he was away at the owners meetings and the answers given my the Mets Assistant GM John Ricco were puzzling if not very inconsistent.

The Mets are a mess from the top down and at the moment, the Mets are opening the year without a center fielder. What a disaster.

At this point I fully expect the Mets to have another press conference to clear up today's press conference.... - Keith A. Baker

Keith is a sports agent in Stamford, Connecticut. His goal is to offer a unique insight to the world of sports. Comments in his columns are for entertainment purposes only and do not reflect the views and opinions of his firm or his client.

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