Morning Briefing: Carlos Beltrán Will Be Special Assistant to Stearns

Good morning, Mets fans!

As the Carlos Mendoza era is ushered into New York, a former New York Mets manager will continue to have a role with the organization. Carlos Beltrán will serve as a special assistant in the new regime, new president of baseball operations David Stearns said in an interview with Andy Martino.

Beltrán enjoyed a stint that lasted more than six years in Queens between 2005-2011. In November 2019, he was hired to replace Mickey Callaway as Mets manager, but was relieved of his duties before ever managing a game due to his name being involved in the Houston Astros cheating scandal.

Stearns said he talked to Beltrán at the midpoint of the managerial search process and that he thinks Beltran is happy “where he is,” specifically citing Beltrán having young children he wants to be around consistently.

In other front office news, the Mets added Eduardo Brizuela as a vice president and special assistant to David Stearns, according to Will Sammon of the Athletic. Brizuela spent more than 15 years with the Milwaukee Brewers prior. Brizuela was also the GM for Team Venezuela in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

Latest Mets News

Mets owner Steve Cohen unveiled a plan to turn 50 acres of asphalt around Citi Field into a sports and entertainment park, including a playground, sportsbook, community sports fields and other attractions. Learn more about the project here.

Stearns said he won’t hire a general manager this season. Read about this and more of what Stearns said from the GM meetings here.

Pitching coach Jeremy Hefner is expected to stay in his role under Mendoza, according to Martino. Read more here.

Eric Chavez, the Mets’ bench coach in 2023 and hitting coach previously, interviewed for the Yankees vacant hitting coach position before it was offered to James Rowson, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post.

Former Mets outfielder Juan Lagares expressed excitement about returning to Citi Field for this weekend’s Dominican Winter League series in an interview with Jay Horwitz.

Ronny Mauricio will join the Tigres del Licey on November 18. The infielder was named the Dominican Winter League MVP last season for the Tigres del Licey.

Our own Michael Mayer reports that Mets minor league infield coordinator Miguel Cairo is leaving the organization after just one season to become the Nationals bench coach.

Latest MLB News

Among the names the Milwaukee Brewers are considering to replace former manager Craig Counsell are bench coaches Pat Murphy (Milwaukee Brewers), Don Mattingly (Toronto Blue Jays), Joe Espada (Houston Astros), according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal. Other names are Dodgers first base coach Clayton McCullough, Astros hitting coach Troy Snitker and former Brewers second baseman Rickie Weeks.

The Los Angeles Angels are interviewing former Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington for their open managerial spot, according to Sam Blum of the Athletic.

Baltimore Orioles general manager Mike Elias was named MLB Executive of the Year after the Orioles won 101 games and the American League East last season.

The White Sox are hiring Marcus Thames as their hitting coach, according to Robert Murray of FanSided.

Multiple teams have inquired about Cincinnati Reds infielder Jonathan India’s trade availability, according to Jon Morosi of MLB Network.

Free agent utility player Kiké Hernández underwent double-hernia surgery on Oct. 24 and is expected to resume baseball activities in three to four weeks, according to Rosenthal.

Former Washington Nationals starting pitcher Erick Fedde is drawing MLB interest after going 20-6 with a 2.00 ERA with the NC Dinos of the KBO, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post and MLB Network.

The Toronto Blue Jays announced Carlos Febles as their new third base coach.

After carrying a team-record $155 million payroll in 2023, the Minnesota Twins will be lowering salary next season, according to Bobby Nightengale of the Minnesota Star Tribune.