"It seems like such a little thing, a patch of fabric on the back of a jersey. If you think about it, though, it seems startling.

The manager of the defending World Series champions handed his No. 15 to Carlos Beltran. He also handed Beltran right field, which was Nate Schierholtz's turf.

Nothing illustrates more how the Giants' view Beltran's acquisition from the Mets, which became official Thursday in plenty of time for the 34-year-old switch-hitter to bat third and play right field in the deciding game of a big series against the Phillies.

Beltran is the elusive big bat that Giants fans have sought for years and that the team desperately needs. They surrendered their top pitching prospect, Zack Wheeler, to snag Beltran, hoping he can do for them what he did for the Astros in 2004. Beltran carried them to the postseason and went bonkers in the playoffs, hitting eight home runs.

In a news conference before his first batting practice with the Giants, Beltran expressed great joy over joining a first-place team that won it all last year, but downplayed the notion that he will carry anybody.

"I'm not thinking about '04. I already got paid for '04," Beltran said. "I'm thinking about 2011.

"These guys have been there before, and everybody knows their roles. They did a great job last year. They did everything right to win the World Series. They pitched well, they played good defense, they contributed offensively when they needed it the most. I'm just coming here to be part of what they already have.""