MLB Rumors: New York Mets Down To 3 Managerial Candidates For 2020, Will Replace Carlos Beltran Soon

One of the three managerial vacancies that were created in the wake of the Houston Astros’ sign-stealing scandal is expected to be filled soon. The New York Mets have reportedly narrowed down the list of candidates to three coaches within the organization.

According to SNY’s Andy Martino, it’ll be Luis Rojas, Hensley Meulens or Tony DeFrancesco that replaces Carlos Beltran for the 2020 MLB season. A final decision could be made by the end of the week.

Rojas is the Mets’ quality control coach and was interviewed twice to be the team’s manager this past fall. Meulens was Beltran’s bench coach. DeFrancesco joined New York as the first base coach after managing the organization’s Triple-A affiliate in each of the last two years.

Sources: Mets managerial search is now down to Rojas, Meulens and DeFranceso. Suppose there’s always chance of a late entrant but I don’t see it. They see benefits of going internal.
— Andy Martino (@martinonyc) January 22, 2020

Mets may have a manager by the end of the week, as @martinonyc suggested
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 22, 2020

It was once thought that Terry Collins might have a second stint as the Mets manager. New York’s manager from 2011-2017 left the bench to become a special assistant to the general manager.

The Mets have reportedly decided to go with an internal candidate, rather than hiring an available ex-manager with experience. The Astros, for instance, have reportedly interviewed Buck Showalter, Dusty Baker and John Gibbons after firing A.J. Hinch.

New York reportedly won’t hire Eduardo Perez, who was considered to be a top candidate before Beltran got the job in November. Perez has been an analyst for ESPN and MLB Network Radio for much of his post-playing career.

The Mets went 86-76 in the 2019 season, missing the playoffs for a third straight year.