Less than three months after being named manager of the New York Mets, Carlos Beltran is stepping down from his position, the organization announced on Thursday.
Beltran, 42, was the only player to be named in MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred’s report on the Houston Astros’ sign stealing scandal, which was released on Monday.
“We met with Carlos last night and again this morning and agreed to mutually part ways. This was not an easy decision,” a joint statement on Thursday from Mets COO Jeff Wilpon and General Manager Brodie Van Wagenen said. “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 preparing for spring training at the Mets’ facility in Port St. Lucie, FL.
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The commissioner’s report specifically named Beltran, who was a key member of the Astros’ 2017 World Series victory.
“Approximately two months into the 2017 season, a group of players, including Carlos Beltran, discussed that the team could improve on decoding opposing teams’ signs and communicating the signs to the batter,” Manfred’s report said. “[Alex] Cora [then a bench coach for the Astros] arranged for a video room technician to install a monitor displaying the center field camera feed immediately outside of the Astros’ dugout. (The center field camera was primarily used for player development purposes and was allowed under MLB rules at the time when used for that purpose.)
“Witnesses have provided largely consistent accounts of how the monitor was utilized. One or more players watched the live feed of the center field camera on the monitor, and after decoding the sign, a player would bang a nearby trash can with a bat to communicate the upcoming pitch type to the batter.”
Beltran is the third MLB manager to lose a managerial position since Monday’s report. Cora parted ways with the Boston Red Sox this week, and the Astros fired both manager AJ Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow.
Oakland Athletics pitcher Mike Fiers elaborated about the sign stealing scheme, which in turn, caused the MLB to further investigate the Astros.
“At a meeting this [Thursday] morning with Jeff and Brodie we mutually agreed to part ways,” Beltran said in a team release. “I’m grateful to them for giving me the opportunity, but we agreed this decision is in the best interest of the team. I couldn’t let myself be a distraction for the team. I wish the entire organization success in the future.”
In November, Van Wagenen said that Beltran’s status with the Mets would not change based on what happened with the Houston investigation.
“Anything that happened, happened for another organization with Houston, Major League Baseball,” the general manager said. “I have no idea if anything did or did not (happen). But at this point, I don’t see any reason why this is a Mets situation.”
The Mets have not yet named a replacement for Beltran. Pitchers and catchers will report to the team’s spring training facility on Feb. 10.
