Mets to name Carlos Beltran as manager
The New York Mets have decided on hiring Carlos Beltran as the their next manager, according to multiple reports Friday afternoon. Yahoo Sports’ Matt Ehalt confirmed the news.
Beltran, 42, was a star for the Mets from 2005-2011 and was named to five all-star teams while there. He was a finalist along with Eduardo Perez of ESPN/ESPN Deportes.
The team confirmed the news late Friday. A formal announcement is expected on Monday.
It’s official!
Please join us in welcoming our new manager, @carlosbeltran15! https://t.co/2H1SsGlc9b pic.twitter.com/19Ivi65N7f— New York Mets (@Mets) November 1, 2019
MLB Network’s Jon Heyman reports Beltran’s contract is finalized and will include three guaranteed seasons. Financial details have not been reported.
It’s Beltran’s first managerial job and he’ll become the first Latino manager in Mets history. He spent the past two seasons in the Bronx with the New York Yankees as a special adviser to general manager Brian Cashman.
The Mets and general manager Brodie Van Wagenen dismissed Mickey Callaway after a 86-76 season and third-place finish in the NL East.
Beltran, Mets left on rocky terrain
Beltran was a strong bat in the lineup and a combatant in the locker room during dustups with team owner Fred Wilpon and COO Jeff Wilpon. Prior to his final season in Queens, team officials were reportedly irritated Beltran had a knee surgery.
The outfielder was traded to the San Francisco Giants in 2011.
He went on to retire with the Houston Astros after winning the 2017 World Series. He was a nine-time all-star, three-time Gold Glove winner and two-time Silver Slugger over his 20-year career. He hit for a .279/.350/.486 with 435 home runs and 312 stolen bases.
After the Mets fired Mickey Callaway, Beltran’s named surfaced in the potential pool of hires. But it seemed unlikely he would rise to the top.
He said in October he was only focused on the Mets managerial job and the team began background checks on him to see if he was prepared for managing. Beltran interviewed for the Yankees position before the team hired Aaron Boone two seasons ago.
Will Terry Collins be coming back?
Beltran may also reunite the team with Terry Collins, the former manager who resigned in 2017. He led the team to the World Series in 2015 and was the franchise’s longest-tenured manager.
According to sources, Carlos Beltran told the Mets that his ideal bench coach would be Terry Collins, same as he told the Yankees. However, that’s not something that’s had much traction yet and not a guarantee to happen. Goes without saying that Beltrán, BVW etc not commenting
— Andy Martino (@martinonyc) November 1, 2019
Collins, 70, went 551-583 with the Mets from 2011-17 and was often criticized.
Eduardo Perez congratulates Beltran
ESPN’s Eduardo Perez, who we noted as also in the running for the Mets’ job, issued a statement thanking the Mets and congratulating Beltran.
I would like to thank the #Mets for the incredible opportunity to have interviewed for the managerial position. That being said, I am even prouder that @CarlosBeltran15 is going to be the next manager of the @Mets. Estoy #orgulloso de nuestra bandera!🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷
— Eduardo Perez (@PerezEd) November 1, 2019
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