Carlos Beltrán and Mets Agree to Part Ways Following Astros Cheating Scandal

Carlos Beltrán is the third manager to lose his job following MLB's report on the Astros cheating scandal.

Manager Carlos Beltrán and the Mets have mutually agreed to part ways, the club announced Thursday.

Mets COO Jeff Wilpon and general manager Brodie Van Wagenen released a statement saying they met with Beltrán on Wednesday night and again on Thursday morning before reaching the 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," Wilpon and Van Wagenen said. "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."

Beltrán also issued a statement thanking the Mets for his time with the franchise.

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

The decision comes after Major League Baseball released its findings of the Astros' cheating scandal in 2017 and 2018 on Monday. Beltrán, who was part of the Astros' World Series–winning roster, was the only player named in MLB commissioner Rob Manfred's report.

Beltrán is the third manager to lose his job after the league's report. Astros manager AJ Hinch was suspended and subsequently fired on Monday. Alex Cora "mutually agreed" to part ways with the Red Sox following his participation in the Astros' scheme as a bench coach. Houston general manager Jeff Luhnow was also suspended by MLB and fired. 

MLB did not discipline Beltrán since he was a player at the time of the cheating scandal, in which the Astros used a feed from the centerfield camera to decode and communicate pitching signs.

"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," MLB's report reads.

Beltrán was announced as manager of the Mets on Nov. 1, 2019, after the team moved on from Mickey Callaway. 

During his 20-year playing career, nine-time All-Star Beltrán spent time with the Royals, New York Mets, Yankees, Cardinals, Astros, Giants and Rangers. Beltrán retired from MLB after he won his only World Series with the Astros in 2017.

Mets quality control coach Luis Rojas is under consideration for the managerial vacancy, according to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal.