The Mets have hired Carlos Beltran to be their manager. After reports surfaced earlier in the day, the Mets made the move official on Friday evening, announcing a three-year deal with a fourth-year club option for Beltran.
"Congratulations to Carlos. We are thrilled, as we know our passionate fans will be, to have him back in the family," said Mets COO Jeff Wilpon. "Thanks to Brodie and the entire baseball operations staff on this expansive, diverse and collaborative managerial search process."
"Thanks to Jeff and the ownership group for their ongoing support as we worked through a very detailed managerial search process," said GM Brodie Van Wagenen. "We are very excited to bring Carlos on board as our next manager and re-introduce him to Mets fans next week."
Beltran, who had been working as an adviser under Yankees GM Brian Cashman, was one of many candidates in the Mets' managerial search that also included Eduardo Perez, Tim Bogar, Derek Shelton, Pat Murphy, Luis Rojas, and Joe Girardi.
After the Mets began to pare their list down, Beltran -- the only one of the Mets' finalists to not have any prior coaching or managing experience at any level -- was part of a third round of interviews with team owner Fred Wilpon.
According to SNY's Andy Martino, Beltran has told the Mets that his ideal bench coach would be former manager Terry Collins. However, that is not something that is guaranteed to happen.
When Beltran interviewed for the Yankees manager job in 2017, he made the same request regarding Collins as his potential bench coach. That manager job eventually went to Aaron Boone.
Prior to interviewing with the Mets, Beltran turned down the opportunity to interview with the Cubs and Padres for manager.
Beltran and Perez had been serious candidates throughout the search, Martino reported, noting on Friday during the late stages of the process that it was not uncommon for teams to keep a few candidates in the mix while negotiations were ongoing
Prior to joining the Yankees as an adviser in December of 2018, Beltran played for the Mets (2005 to 2011) during a 20-year career that also included stints with the Royals, Astros, Cardinals, Giants, Yankees, and Rangers. He retired after the 2017 season.
The 42-year-old Beltran had a reputation during his career for taking players under his wing and had spoken in recent years about his desire to manage after wrapping up his Hall-of-Fame worthy playing career.
Along with Darryl Strawberry, Beltran was one of the best two-way players in Mets history.
During his seven-season tenure in Queens, Beltran hit .280/.369/.500 with 149 HR, 208 doubles, and 559 RBI in 839 games while playing exceptional defense in center field.
Beltran's time with the Mets ended in July of 2011 when he was traded to the Giants for Zack Wheeler.
Now, with Wheeler potentially on the way out via free agency, Beltran is on the way back in.
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