Former New York Mets outfielder Carlos Beltran has reportedly been named the team's new manager succeeding Mickey Callaway who was dismissed with one year remaining on his contract. Beltran spent nearly a third of his 20-year big league career with the Mets playing with them from 2005 through the middle of the 2011 season when he was traded to the San Francisco Giants. His playing career ended in 2017 when he earned his lone World Series ring with the Houston Astros.
Following his retirement, Beltran was interviewed for the managerial post with the crosstown New York Yankees after Joe Giradi was sacked. The position, of course, went to Aaron Boone. The Yankees subsequently hired Beltran to be a special adviser to GM Brian Cashman. Ironically, Beltran beat out Girardi who was interviewed twice for the vacancy before ultimately being offered the job in Philadelphia. I think Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen wanted a manager less likely to have his own ideas or at least wedded to them.
This isn't a knock on Beltran. In fact, I think he is the best possible choice. He has credibility with the players and has a very keen sense of observation as he was the one who pointed out that Yankees starter James Paxton was tipping his pitches early this season.
Of course, Beltran is in a tough division with the World Series champion Nationals, back to back NL East champion Braves and a Phillies team with Girardi at the helm. But I think it would be a mistake to sell Beltran short. If anyone can handle the scrutiny that is involved with being the manager of the New York Mets, it would be Beltran.
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