Yahoo Sports Carlos Beltran out as Mets manager because of sign-stealing scandal
Carlos Beltran will never manage a game for the New York Mets.
Beltran and the Mets have decided to part ways after he was specifically named in Major League Baseball’s report as a key player in the Houston Astros sign-stealing scandal. Yahoo Sports’ Tim Brown reports that it’s a mutual decision between the Mets and the 42-year-old ex-outfielder:
Carlos Beltran has told the Mets it is best if he steps down. Looks like the direction this will take.
— Tim Brown (@TBrownYahoo) January 16, 2020
The Mets confirmed the move and said in a statement:
“We met with Carlos last night and again this morning and agreed to mutually part ways. This was not an easy decision. Considering the circumstances, it became clear to all parties that it was not in anyone’s best interest for Carlos to move forward as manager of the New York Mets. We believe that Carlos was honest and forthcoming with us. We are confident that this will not be the final chapter in his baseball career. We remain excited about the talent on this team and are committed to reaching our goals of winning now and in the future.”
Beltran was an active player for the Astros in 2017 when they illegally stole and transmitted signs during the regular season and World Series. Like the other current and former players questioned during the investigation, Beltran will not face a punishment from the league, but he was one
Astros manager A.J. Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow were not so lucky. Both were suspended by the league and immediately fired by the Astros for their involvement. Alex Cora, who served as Astros’ bench coach in 2017 and led the Boston Red Sox to the 2018 World Series championship, parted ways with Boston on Tuesday.
Those dismissals set a precedent that had all eyes focused on the Mets over the last 48 hours.
Beltran issued a statement to Yahoo Sports saying:
“Over my 20 years in the game, I’ve always taken pride in being a leader and doing things the right way, and in this situation, I failed. As a veteran player on the team I should’ve recognized the severity of the issue and truly regret the actions that were taken. I am a man of faith and integrity and what took place did not demonstrate those characteristics that are so very important to me and my family. I'm very sorry. It’s not who I am as a father, a husband, a teammate and as an educator. The Mets organization and I mutually agreed to part ways, moving forward for the greater good with no further distractions. I hope that at some point in time, I’ll have the opportunity to return to this game that I love so much.”
Beltran was the first managerial hire by general manager Brodie Van Wagenen back in November. That he’s decided to cut ties with Beltran is a loud declaration that the Mets’ front office wants to steer clear of the sign-stealing scandal and the chaos that is sure to follow.
One name that immediately surfaced as a replacement is Mets coach Luis Rojas, a 38-year-old who has coached in the Mets’ system since 2011. Rojas was a candidate for the managerial job before the Mets’ chose Beltran. He was the Mets’ quality control coach in 2019 and is the son of Felipe Alou and brother of Moises Alou.
More from Yahoo Sports: