3. Carlos Beltran
Beltran has no managerial experience, but he did interview for the Yankees job that ultimately went to Aaron Boone two years ago (immediately after retiring as a player) and has been in the organization as a special assistant. Before Callaway was officially fired on Thursday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic offered Beltran as a name to watch for a theoretical (at that hour of the day) candidate for the Mets.
Name to watch if #Mets fire Callaway: Carlos Beltrán. Bi-lingual. Strong communicator. Played for #Mets from 2005 to ‘11. Interviewed for #Yankees’ job that went to Boone. One Mets exec, Allard Baird, was his GM with #Royals. Another, Omar Minaya, signed him when he was NYM GM.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) October 3, 2019
Beltrán’s time with #Mets was not always smooth. Owner Fred Wilpon told The New Yorker he was a “schmuck” for signing Beltrán based upon his big 2004 postseason. Beltrán also differed with ownership over his decision to undergo knee surgery in 2010 and other issues.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) October 3, 2019
That said, Beltran would be a fascinating candidate. Presumably more affordable than a Girardi or Maddon with Callaway under contract for one more year. Popularity and presence also would create instant, positive buzz for a franchise sensitive to public perception.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) October 3, 2019
Beltran played for the Mets of course, as he signed a big contract after a big 2004 postseason. Aside from any conflict with owner Fred Wilpon at the end of his run with the team, as Rosenthal cited a decision to have knee surgery and Wilpon telling The New Yorker he was a schmuck for signing Beltran, Beltran seems likely to be open to analytics in a way Van Wagenen would like. And strictly based on being able to easily communicate with all players, his being bi-lingual is pretty important.
If the Mets want an experienced manager in some effort to win-now, Beltran is not going to last long on any internal list of candidates, if he even makes it to one. But he should be in the mix to replace Callaway, as a needed fresh voice in the dugout.