AP source says Mets will hire Carlos Beltrán as manager

NEW YORK — A person familiar with the decision tells The Associated Press the New York Mets have decided to hire Carlos Beltrán as their manager.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity Friday because the team has not made an announcement.

Beltrán was a nine-time All-Star during 20 major league seasons, starting with the Kansas City Royals from 1998-2004. Beltrán played for the Mets from 2005-11, the St. Louis Cardinals from 2012-13 and four other teams sprinkled in.

Beltrán, the 1999 American League Rookie of the Year with the Royals, has never managed before. He replaces Mickey Callaway, who was fired after two seasons.

He interviewed to become New York Yankees manager after the 2017 season, when Aaron Boone was hired, and spent this season as an adviser to Yankees general manager Brian Cashman.

Beltrán becomes the first minority to fill one of the eight major league manager vacancies this offseason. Jobs previously filled are the Chicago Cubs (David Ross), Kansas City (Mike Matheny), the Los Angeles Angels (Joe Maddon), Philadelphia (Joe Girardi) and San Diego (Jayce Tingler).

Pittsburgh and San Francisco remain open.

Beltrán will be the fourth of the current managers born in Puerto Rico, joining Boston’s Alex Cora, Toronto’s Charlie Montoyo and Washington’s Dave Martinez.