Beltran out as manager in wake of sign-stealing scandal
Carlos Beltrán is out as manager of the New York Mets before managing even a single game, the latest fallout from the Houston Astros’ sign- stealing scandal that has rocked Major League Baseball.
The Mets announced the decision Thursday in a news release, saying Beltrán and the team “agreed to mutually part ways.” The move came two days after Boston cut ties with manager Alex Cora, who was Houston’s bench coach in 2017 when Beltrán played for the Astros.
A day before that, manager AJ Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow were fired by Houston soon after they were suspended for the 2020 season by commissioner Rob Manfred for their roles in the cheating scheme.
Next to fall was Beltrán, the only Astros hitter mentioned by name Monday when MLB issued its findings from an investigation into the club’s conduct. No players were disciplined, but the nine-page report said Beltrán was among the group involved in the team’s illicit use of electronics to pilfer signs during Houston’s run to the 2017 World
Series championship.
Beltrán played the last of his 20 big league seasons with the Astros in 2017. Manfred said that year Cora was “an active participant” and developed the sign- stealing system used by the team, strongly hinting he will face severe penalties. Even though Cora was subsequently let go, the Red Sox remain under investigation for stealing signs during Cora’s first season as manager in 2018, when they won the World Series.
GIANTS ADD SMYLY » The Giants signed free agent left-hander Drew Smyly to a one-year, $4 million contract. Smyly, 30, appeared in 25 games and made 21 starts last season as he split time between the Rangers and the Phillies. He struggled with Texas, posting a 8.42 ERA before being designated for assignment but found more success in Philadelphia where he pitched to a 4.45 ERA in 12 starts under Gabe Kapler. It was his comeback season after missing 2017 and 2018 following Tommy John surgery.