NEW YORK — The New York Mets and manager Carlos Beltrán have mutually agreed to part ways, team officials said Thursday. The Mets have become the latest clubhouse with turnover related to the Major League Baseball sign-stealing scandal.
Beltrán was hired as manager three months ago and had yet to oversee a game for the team, MLB.com reported.
“We met with Carlos last night and again this morning and agreed to mutually part ways,” team officials said on social media. “This was not an easy decision. 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.”
Statement from #Mets COO Jeff Wilpon and Executive Vice President & General Manager Brodie Van Wagenen on Carlos Beltrán. pic.twitter.com/tDSBLczoIA
— New York Mets (@Mets) January 16, 2020
League officials investigated the Houston Astros for stealing signs during the team’s 2017 run that culminated in a World Series title.
Beltrán, who was with the Astros at the time, was named as one of the players in the report. But he was not expected to be disciplined by league officials.
“(Beltrán) discussed that the team could improve on decoding opposing teams’ signs and communicating the signs to the batter,” the report said.
Beltrán retired as a player in 2017 after winning the World Series with the Astros. He then worked in the Yankees front office for a year before the Mets hired him in November.
“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 statement. “ I couldn’t let myself be a distraction for the team. I wish the entire organization success in the future.”
Astros’ manager AJ Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow were both relieved of their duties with Houston shortly after MLB levied yearlong suspensions to the pair.
The Boston Red Sox and manager Alex Cora also agreed to mutually part ways Tuesday.
Cora was not punished by the league because MLB decided to release his discipline after they had conducted an investigation into allegations that the Red Sox were electronically stealing signs during their 2018 regular season.
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