Carlos Beltrán returns to the organization, and what that could mean for his legacy with the Mets

The former Met will be working with GM Billy Eppler in his new position

What’s Up with the Mets? 🍎

• Carlos Beltrán is re-joining the organization and will be working in the front office under Mets GM Billy Eppler (NY Post)

• RHP Matt Allan’s career took another tough break as he will miss the entire season after undergoing UCL revision surgery (MLB.com)

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7 days until Mets pitchers and catchers report to Port St. Lucie! ⚾️🌴

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Carlos Beltrán’s return to the organization paves the way to having his number retired… 📝

When the Mets hired Carlos Beltrán to be their new manager prior to the 2020 season, it offered the chance for a redemptive arc that sports fans crave. After shouldering the blame for missing out on the World Series in 2006, he was now in a position to lead the team to the promised land and overcome one moment in an otherwise stellar, hall of fame (its probably coming for him) career.

Unfortunately, the fairy tale ending never happened after he was implicated in the Astros cheating scandal and he stepped down as manager weeks after getting the job. It was an embarrassment for the organization at the time even though the scandal was beyond their control. The Wilpons and Brodie Van Wagenen were in charge at the time and, in all likelihood, were not happy with how everything unfolded.

Now, with time having passed and a new regime in charge, it seems the relationship has thawed which leads to the intriguing question of whether or not the All-Star centerfielder should have his number retired by the Mets.

He is a Hall of Fame caliber player, although it remains to be seen how long it will take for the voters to overlook his role in the scandal and vote him into Cooperstown. In his first year if eligibility he received 46.5% of votes, a good start but well short of the 75% needed for election into the Hall of Fame.

As for the Mets, he was arguably one of the best, if not THE best centerfielder in team history. He finished his time in Queens after seven seasons batting .280/.369/.500 with 149 home runs, 559 RBIs, and 100 stolen bases, the best stretch of his career. He was a three-time Gold Glove award winner in that time span and a five-time All-Star. He accumulated 31.1 bWAR which is third all-time in franchise history, trailing only David Wright and Darryl Strawberry. He leads all Mets centerfielders in home runs, doubles, and RBIs.

Of course, between the infamous strikeout (which, to be fair, would have froze almost anyone) and then carrying the label of, “cheater,” Beltrán has a bit of an uphill climb to see number 15 take its place alongside the other Met greats. His relationship with the fans was never great over the course of his seven year tenure in Flushing, but that should not overshadow what he accomplished as a player for this organization. He is still a Met great and his return to the organization a least opens the door for the conversation to be had among those committee members.

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Hot Stove 🔥

• The Yankees do not want RHP Luis Severino participating in the World Baseball Classic (NY Post)

• The Nationals signed RHP Chad Kuhl to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training (MASN)

• LHP Max Fried has reportedly lost his arbitration case against the Braves where he was seeking $15 million for the 2023 season (MLB.com)

• The Dodgers will retire Fernando Valenzuela’s number with a ceremony in August (MLB.com)

• The Dodgers have reportedly extended INF Miguel Rojas through the 2024 season shortly after acquiring him from the Marlins (ESPN)