Carlos Beltrán, who’s officially getting enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame this Sunday, dropped some serious news on Monday: he confirmed having talks with the Mets about their open managerial position after they parted ways with Carlos Mendoza back in June, but he ultimately turned them down. It’s a wild twist, especially considering his history with the club.
Why Beltrán Didn’t Make the Move
Turns out, even with a managerial gig on his “bucket list,” Beltrán just wasn’t feeling it for the Mets this time around. “Yes, I had conversations with a few people within the organization, and I don’t know, I just didn’t feel it was the right thing for me to do,” Beltrán told reporters in a Zoom chat ahead of his Hall of Fame induction. He’s clearly got a desire to manage, but the timing or the fit simply wasn’t right for him to jump back into that specific dugout. It’s a surprising reveal, especially from a guy about to get the highest honor in baseball.
The Shadow of the Past
This isn’t Beltrán’s first rodeo with the Mets’ manager chair, either. Back in November 2019, they hired him, signing him to a three-year contract. But that tenure ended quickly and mutually in January 2020 after he was named in Commissioner Rob Manfred’s statement regarding MLB’s investigation into the Houston Astros’ 2017 sign-stealing scandal. The report mentioned, “Approximately two months into the 2017 season, a group of players, including Carlos Beltrán, discussed that the team could improve on decoding opposing teams’ signs and communicating the signs to the batter.” Even though Beltrán was the only player named and faced no discipline, he said in a 2020 statement, “I couldn’t let myself be a distraction for the team.” He clearly wished the organization success, but they agreed it was “in the best interest of the team” to part ways. That’s a heavy history to carry, and it’s easy to see why he might be hesitant.
What’s Next for a Hall of Famer?
So, while Beltrán is about to be celebrated for a phenomenal 20-year playing career, his managerial future remains a big question mark. He absolutely wants another chance to manage and is proud his name comes up in those conversations. But right now, his focus seems to be a bit more internal. “But at the same time, I don’t know, man, I’ve got to think deeply about what my next step is going to be,” he said. He’s got a lot to reflect on as he enters the Hall with nine All-Star Games, three Gold Gloves, two Silver Slugger awards, and the 2013 Roberto Clemente Award to his name. His career numbers speak for themselves: a .279 average, .837 OPS, 435 homers, 1,587 RBI, and 2,725 hits. Plus, he was a beast in the postseason, hitting .307 with a 1.021 OPS, 16 dingers, and 42 RBI in 65 playoff games. He’s a legend, and the baseball world will be watching closely to see where he eventually lands in a dugout.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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