Carlos Beltran Talks Mets Manager Opening, Reveals Discussions After Mendoza Firing

Former MLB outfielder (and current Special Assistant to the President of Baseball Operations) Carlos Beltrán will officially be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday.

During a Zoom chat with reporters on Monday (per Tyler Kepner of The Athletic) in advance of that prestigious honor, Beltrán revealed that he's hoping for another chance to be an MLB manager and that the Mets spoke with about their opening after parting ways with Carlos Mendoza in June.

However, Beltrán didn't completely seem keen on moving to the Mets' dugout in the present date.

"Yes, I had conversations with a few people within the organization, and I don't know, I just didn't feel it was the right thing for me to do," Beltrán said. "And I have to tell you that, having the opportunity to manage, I would say that that's probably in my bucket list."

In Nov. 2019, the Mets hired Beltrán to be their manager and signed him to a three-year contract.

However, he and the Mets mutually parted ways after Beltrán was named in a statement from Commissioner Rob Manfred regarding MLB's Department of Investigations into the Houston Astros' sign-stealing methods during their 2017 World Series-winning season.

"I'm grateful to them for giving me the opportunity, but we agreed this decision is in the best interest of the team," Beltrán said in a January 2020 statement. "I couldn't let myself be a distraction for the team. I wish the entire organization success in the future."

Beltrán is the only player mentioned in the report, but he appears just one time, on page 2.

"Approximately two months into the 2017 season, a group of players, including Carlos Beltrán, discussed that the team could improve on decoding opposing teams' signs and communicating the signs to the batter," the report read.

Beltrán did not face any discipline.

In the present date, it's clear Beltrán would like another chance to manage, but he also needs some time to ponder his next move.

"I understand that my name has been mentioned about being a manager and all that, and I'm proud of that," he said, per Kepler, before soon adding, "But at the same time, I don't know, man, I've got to think deeply about what my next step is going to be."

In the meantime, Beltrán will be honored for his 20-year playing career. His individual honors include nine All-Star Games, three Gold Gloves, two Silver Slugger awards and the 2013 Roberto Clemente Award.

Over his career, Beltrán hit .279 (.837 OPS) with 435 home runs and 1,587 RBI. He also had 2,725 hits. Beltrán also hit .307 (1.021 OPS) with 16 home runs and 42 RBI in 65 playoff games.