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Beltran rejects interviews from Padres, Cubs: Mets 'the right fit'

ANGELA WEISS / AFP / Getty

After interviewing for the New York Mets' manager gig, Carlos Beltran is rejecting requests from other teams.

The 20-year veteran and nine-time All-Star told reporters Sunday he turned down the opportunity to meet with the San Diego Padres and Chicago Cubs regarding their managerial vacancies, according to Dan Martin of the New York Post.

"I just feel like living in New York is the right fit for me," Beltran added. "I feel like I played long enough to have learned the game and I do feel I have a lot of things I can contribute to the clubhouse. Yes, the experience is not there because I have not done it. But I believe it's something that with the opportunity, I can learn."

Beltran spent seven of his most productive seasons as a member of the Mets, memorably finishing fourth in MVP voting following the 2006 campaign. During his tenure in Flushing, the outfielder authored a .280/.369/.500 slash line with 149 home runs and 100 stolen bases.

It wasn't always smooth sailing with the Mets, though, as team owner Fred Wilpon referred to Beltran as a "schmuck" in a 2011 New Yorker profile, adding that he was "not a superstar."

While the Wilpons remain in charge of the Mets, Beltran addressed those comments on Sunday, stating he harbors no ill will.

"I don't think you can continue to progress in life if you think about the past," Beltran added. "For me, what happened with the Mets, there were ups and downs, the perception of what the fans thought about me, for me, I'm able to turn that page. After 2011, I showed people I was healthy and could play the game and the negative things said about me, that's not who I am as a person."

The Mets interviewed Beltran last week, but the two-time Silver Slugger and three-time Gold Glove winner couldn't comment due to his current role as an advisor to the New York Yankees.

Following the 2019 season, Mickey Callaway was relieved of his duties after two years as the club's skipper.

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