"The last time Carlos Beltran was a midseason acquisition, for the Houston Astros in 2004, he got hotter than a habanero pepper. Now he comes to the Giants, who lead the N.L. West despite one the mildest offenses in the majors.

How does he feel about dizzyingly high expectations?

"Well, I'm not going to think about '04," Beltran said. "I already got paid for '04."

The Giants are confident that Beltran will pay off now. They were willing to sacrifice Zack Wheeler, their top pitching prospect, for a few months of Beltran's services. And they couldn't be happier about it.

Giants manager Bruce Bochy didn't hesitate to move Nate Schierholtz to left field, opening up Beltran's preferred position in right. The manager gave Beltran his number, too, switching from No. 15 to No. 16.

When the cavalry comes, you let their horses drink as much as they like.

"I have my jacket on anyway," Bochy said. "I was glad to give it up. I think 15 has been on the bench long enough. It's good to see 15 out there running around."

G.M. Brian Sabean thought so, too. He called Beltran "the player we coveted all along," explaining that the team's historic opportunity to defend its title obligated him to be proactive."