Mets Manager Search Resumes: Who replaces Carlos Beltran?

Carlos Beltran is out as New York Mets manager. Who will replace him?

In the aftermath of arguably the most controversial team-wide Major League Baseball scandal since the 1919 Black Sox, the New York Mets have been forced to part ways with manager Carlos Beltran before Beltran even had the chance to manage a game with the club.

What a sad and unfortunate week it has been for Major League Baseball and its clubs. After the managerial firings of AJ Hinch and Alex Cora, the writing was on the wall for the Mets and Carlos Beltran. Beltran was the only player from the 2017 team named in Rob Manfred’s report from his findings in the Houston Astros sign-stealing scandal. Although Beltran was named, he wasn’t disciplined. The Mets still felt that it was in the best interest of the team that they part ways with Beltran.

Per David Lennon of Newsday, Beltran tried to convince the Mets to let him stay, telling them he could “handle the heat”. The Mets still didn’t want the distraction to hang over the team and ultimately decided to part ways with the rookie manager.

With this, the organization is forced to go through its second managerial search in 3 months. It’ll be the shortest amount of time between managerial hires in franchise history.  With that in mind, let’s take a look at who the Mets may select to replace Beltran with less than a month to go before the start of spring training.

Luis Rojas

Luis Rojas has been mentioned as an in-house candidate to replace Carlos Beltran as Mets manager. Rojas, 38, is the son of Felipe Alou and brother of Moises Alou, and is currently the Mets Quality Control coach.  He has been with the organization since 2007 and managed as high as Double-A for the Binghamton Rumble Ponies in 2018.

Rojas is well-liked within the organization and was considered for the job when the team was going through their search this past October. Although the Mets may view Rojas as a young up and coming manager, they may want to look to someone with a little more experience to run the club while they are in win-now mode. With that being said, don’t be surprised if the Mets go with the 38-year-old as their next manager.

Hensley Meulens

Another in-house candidate that has gained some traction is recently hired bench coach Hensley Meulens. Meulens was the San Francisco Giants hitting coach under Bruce Bochy from 2010 to 2019. He played 12 years of professional baseball in the MLB and Japan from 1989 to 2000.

The team may see Meulens as the easiest hire considering he is next in line on the current staff. Brodie Van Wagenen said in a conference call that their new managerial search would consist of candidates from inside and outside the organization. If they decide to promote from within, the most likely candidate appears to be Meulens.

Tim Bogar

Washington Nationals newly promoted bench coach Tim Bogar was among those who interviewed for the Mets manager position this past fall. Bogar served as the first base coach for Nationals during their World Series run in 2019.

It’s been said that Bogar made a strong impression on Van Wagenen and the Wilpons in his interview back in October. If the Mets decide that they prefer someone from outside of the organization to run the club, Bogar is definitely a name to keep an eye on, presuming the Nationals gives the Mets permission to re-interview him.

Buck Showalter

Arguably the most logical candidate for the Mets sudden managerial vacancy is veteran manager Buck Showalter. Buck has the experience and knowledge to lead this Mets team who are ready to compete for a World Series as we speak. Showalter has seen it all in baseball and specifically in New York as he managed the Yankees from 1992-1995.

In an interview on WFAN that took place shortly after the Mets fired Mickey Callaway, Showalter expressed his interest in returning to New York to manage the Mets. His most recent managerial stint came in Baltimore where he was their manager from 2010-2018, leading the team to three playoff appearances.

If Brodie Van Wagenen and the Wilpons are looking for someone who has experience and can handle the questions in New York post-Beltran era, Buck Showalter should be their guy.  He will have instant credibility and respect inside of the clubhouse and he gives the team the best leader possible in their attempt to bring a World Series Trophy back to Queens. That’s what should be at the forefront of this conversation.

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If I had to make a gut prediction, I’d say the Mets will stay in-house with their new hire and go with current bench coach Hensley Meulens.  Showalter should be in the conversation, but if history is any indication, it’s not very likely that the Mets will send much attention Buck’s way.