New York Mets top managerial options after Beltran’s departure

The New York Mets are left scrambling for a new manager after Carlos Beltran stepped down. The team has just 27 days until pitchers and catchers report for Spring Training.

Days after MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred’s report pointed directly to Carlos Beltran as a key figure in the Astros’ cheating scandal, the New York Mets have decided to move on. The scheme involved stealing the opposing catcher’s signs and relaying that information to hitters via banging on trash cans.

Subsequent fallout has rocked the entire baseball community, not just the Houston Astros. As the only player directly named by Manfred, it was clear Beltran could not manage in New York, without being a distraction all season.

He is the third manager to lose their job as a result of the report. Major League Baseball will not discipline any players who were on the 2017 Astros roster. Instead, he placed blame on those in charge, Houston Manager A.J. Hinch and General Manager Jeff Luhnow. Both men were then let go by Astros owner Jim Crane.

Additionally, the Boston Red Sox who are also being looked at by MLB, let go of their skipper Alex Cora. Back in 2017, he was the Astros bench coach and a huge conspirator in the sign-stealing plot.

At first, the New York Mets tried to stand by Beltran. During the Winter Meetings last month,  Amazins GM Brodie Van Wagenen said the accusations were not a Mets’ issue. However, after the report became public and public pressure became too much and it was clear New York had to move on.

In his statement, Beltran said he was “very sorry” for his actions and they do not represent his values. Either way, it’s over for him in New York just three months after he was hired. The team must now race against the clock to find a replacement with Spring Training less than a month away. Here are some of the leading contenders to replace Beltran.