ATLANTA, GA - JULY 06: New York interim manager Andy Green (70) reacts during the MLB game between the New York Mets and the Atlanta Braves on July 6th, 2026 at Truist Park in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The New York Mets entered the year with postseason expectations but instead quickly fell well out of contention, prompting a dramatic organizational shakeup. After a few months of disappointing results, the club dismissed manager Carlos Mendoza and installed Andy Green as interim skipper while beginning to look toward 2027.
But news has surfaced indicating that transition almost looked very different. According to a new report, the Mets first reached out to one of the most accomplished players in franchise history before ultimately pivoting to Green.
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“The New York Mets have yet to conduct a managerial search for the 2027 season, but their first choice appears to be Hall of Famer Carlos Beltran,” Bob Nightengale reported for USA Today.
“They actually expressed interest in having him take over after the firing of Carlos Mendoza. Yet, he passed with his Hall of Fame commitments this summer, and they instead turned to Andy Green.”
Rather than stepping into the dugout immediately, Beltran reportedly chose to honor obligations surrounding his Hall of Fame induction, leaving the Mets to appoint Green for the remainder of the season.
The decision does not necessarily remove Beltran from consideration once New York launches a full managerial search after the season, and might indicate that he is preparing to take over for Green in the near future.
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Beltran's managerial history with the Mets has been unusual. Although he once accepted the position as his former team’s skipper, he never actually managed a regular-season game.
“Beltran is one of New York's six managers since (Terry) Collins, though he never actually managed a game. He was hired on Nov. 1, 2019, then he stepped down on Jan. 16, 2020, after his role in the Houston Astros' sign-stealing scandal came to light,” Mike Axisa wrote for CBS Sports. “Beltran currently works in the Mets front office as a special assistant to Stearns and the team will retire his No. 15 in September. There are no hard feelings on either side. Beltran has long been considered a manager-in-waiting.”
That background helps explain why Beltran reportedly became the organization's first choice after Mendoza's firing. The Mets already know him well, he remains involved with the franchise and many around baseball have long expected him to eventually manage.
Instead, New York will finish 2026 under Green while Beltran remains focused on one of the biggest moments of his career. Once the offseason arrives and Hall of Fame festivities conclude, however, the Mets may once again have the opportunity to pursue the franchise legend as the long-term successor in their dugout.