The New York Mets could soon be searching for a new manager if they decide to fire Mickey Callaway, and one former player who has a somewhat complicated history with the franchise could be a candidate for the job.
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic noted on Thursday that Carlos Beltran will be a name to watch if the Mets move on from Callaway. Beltran, who last played for the Houston Astros in 2017, spent six-plus seasons with 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
Beltran was a fan favorite during his time in New York, where he had a career year with 42 home runs, 116 RBI and an OPS of .982 in 2006. However, Mets owner Fred Wilpon infamously expressed regret over signing Beltran to a seven-year, $119 million contract before the 2005 season when he called himself a “schmuck” in an interview with The New Yorker.
“We had some schmuck in New York who paid him based on that one series,” Wilpon said back in 2011. “He’s 65 to 70 percent of what he was.”
Beltran battled some injuries in the second half of his Mets career and was traded to the San Francisco Giants during the 2011 season. Rosenthal also notes that he was at odds with ownership over his decision to undergo knee surgery in 2010, but there are reasons he might be more appealing than flashy candidates like Joe Maddon and Joe Girardi.
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
The Mets are expected to look at some other lesser-name candidates if they fire Callaway, but it’s easy to understand why Beltran would be in consideration for the job.
