NEW YORK _ Carlos Beltran is finalizing a deal with the Mets to become their next manager, per industry sources.
Beltran, 42, will become the 22nd manager in Mets franchise history. The seven-year Met has no prior experience managing at the major league level, much like his predecessor Mickey Callaway. After an exhaustive interview process that included now Phillies skipper Joe Girardi, general manager Brodie Van Wagenen and the Mets front office appear content with taking another risk on a first-year manager.
Other managerial hopefuls included ESPN analyst Eduardo Perez, Nationals first-base coach Tim Bogar, Twins bench coach Derek Shelton and Brewers bench coach Pat Murphy _ all of whom had made it as far as the third round of interviews.
MLB.com's Anthony DiComo was the first to report the breaking news.
Beltran played for the Mets from 2005-11 and earned five All-Star nods in the process. He told reporters in early October that he would only consider managing for the Mets. He spent the last two seasons serving as a special advisor to Yankees GM Brian Cashman. Beltran interviewed to become the Yankees skipper in 2017 before the Bombers went with Aaron Boone.
The 20-year big league veteran would inherit a young core of players including Pete Alonso, Jeff McNeil, J.D. Davis, Michael Conforto, Amed Rosario and Brandon Nimmo. Beltran's in-depth baseball knowledge and ability to be relatable is highly regarded in the industry. The outfielder would become the 10th first-year manager in Mets franchise history.
