After a rocky end to their relationship in 2011, it looks like Carlos Beltran could be welcomed back to the New York Mets.
Jon Heyman of MLB Network is reporting that the New York Mets are seriously considering hiring Carlos Beltran to replace Mickey Callaway.
Beltran, of course, played for the Mets from 2005-2011, he was a five-time All-Star and garnered MVP votes in four seasons. However, he is most known for looking at strike three in Game 7 of the 2006 NLCS.
Hearing Carlos Beltran is very serious candidate for Mets manager. Has close relationship w/key FO guys Allard Baird and Omar Minaya, both said to support. @Ken_Rosenthal 1st linked CB to job. Interestingly, 3/4 known candidates have no MLB managing experience; also Bell, Shelton
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) October 11, 2019
Heyman mentions that Beltran has a close relationship with two key Mets decision-makers. Allard Baird had been with the Royals when they drafted Carlos Beltran in 1995. He was a key member of the Royals front office when Beltran made his debut in 1998 and became the Royals general manager in 2000. Baird was with Beltran for his entire tenure in Kansas City, including trading him to the Astros at the deadline in 2004.
Omar Minaya was the Mets GM in 2005 when the team signed Beltran to a seven-year, $119 million deal. Minaya was fired in 2010 and was not involved in trading Carlos Beltran.
Beltran and the Wilpons had a very rocky end to their relationship. In 2010, the organization was very upset with Beltran over the timing of a knee surgery. The Wilpons fractured that relationship even further when they traded Beltran at the deadline in 2011 for Zack Wheeler.
Despite their history, Beltran told MLB.com’s Nathalie Alonso that he still has great relationships from his time with the Mets.
“If people have that perspective, that’s the perspective of the fan base. I established great friendships and great relationships when I was with the New York Mets.”
It has also been reported by both Joel Sherman and Andy Martino that Beltran has said that he considers mending relationships one of his strengths, and that his previously rocky relationship with the Wilpons is behind him and won’t affect his decision to interview or take the job.
Nothing is set in stone, but it certainly seems like as so things are trending towards the future Hall-of-Famer becoming the next Mets manager.
