After watching other managers implicated in AstroGate receive a second chance, it is time for former New York Mets manager Carlos Beltran to get his.
Carlos Beltran never had a chance to manage even a spring training game with the New York Mets before getting fired. He had been one of those caught in the AstroGate net, fired due to his culpability. That net had ensnared Red Sox manager Alex Cora, as well as Astros manager AJ Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow. While the players escaped punishment, excluding Beltran, Major League Baseball handed out suspensions to ensure such actions would not happen again.
In the cases of Cora and Hinch, their time seems to be considered as served. Both were able to return to the bench for the 2021 season, as Cora is back with the Red Sox and Hinch will lead the Tigers. Both former managers are getting a second chance.
And then, there is Beltran. Since he was dismissed from the Mets, there has been complete silence. Nothing has been seen or heard from Beltran since that time; his name not mentioned amongst managerial interviews or even as a coaching candidate.
One has to wonder when, or even if, that chance will come. Beltran had been highly respected as a player, seen as a future coach or manager towards the end of his playing days. It was not that much of a surprise that he received the Mets job despite a lack of coaching experience.
Unlike Cora, he will not be returning to the New York bench. Luis Rojas had signed a multi-year contract when he took over the managerial reins. While the Mets struggled to a 26-34 record and missed the postseason for the fourth consecutive year, that is hardly his fault. He needs the chance to manage the team over a full season in order to be properly evaluated.
What does this mean for Beltran? Right now, it seems that his best chance to either return as a manager or coach will be for the 2022 season. Of course, this presumes that he wants another opportunity; otherwise, he will fade into retirement, drifting away until he comes up on the Hall of Fame ballot. That should not be the case.
AJ Hinch and Alex Cora have gotten a second chance. Former New York Mets manager Carlos Beltran deserves one as well.