SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. _ This being the Mets, of course Carlos Beltran, less than two weeks into his job as the new manager, is now a person of interest in what could turn out to be the most notorious cheating scandal in baseball history.
Earlier this month, the presumably squeaky-clean Beltran was introduced at Citi Field, where general manager Brodie Van Wagenen stood beaming and praised the nine-time All-Star for his poise, intelligence and relentless hunger to win.
But after The Athletic unleashed on-the-record allegations of an illegal, electronic sign-stealing system employed by the Astros during the 2017 season, and a follow-up story linked Beltran and Alex Cora to the plot, Van Wagenen's prized hire is now cast in a much different light. So with the GM meetings wrapping up Thursday, Van Wagenen took a defensive stance as he exited the resort campus, confronted with a handful of Beltran questions that won't be resolved until MLB's probe into the matter is complete.
