The New York Mets won 86 games in 2019 and hope their new coaching staff, which was finalized over the weekend, will take them to new heights and hopefully, the postseason.
The retooled staff will be brining back hitting coach Chili Davis and his assistant, Tom Slater, third base coach Gary DiSarcina, bullpen coach Ricky Bones and quality control coach Luis Rojas. Jeremy Accardo has been promoted to assistant pitching coach.
The new additions are bench coach Hensley Meulens, pitching coach Jeremy Hefner and first base coach Tony DeFrancesco.
“We are excited to complete our coaching staff following a very thoughtful and extensive process,†Mets Executive Vice President & General Manager Brodie Van Wagenen said in press release on Sunday. “Carlos drove this search and prioritized talented coaches who share his player’s first vision and complement his skill sets.â€
“I am looking forward to working with this talented, knowledgeable and experienced group,†Mets Manager Carlos Beltrán said. “Each member of the staff brings a unique perspective and expertise that will give myself and all of our players the tools they need to succeed.â€
The Mets will benefit from Beltran’s well-respected reputation, especially among the Latin American players. Davis did a fine job as the team’s hitting coach in 2019. The Mets ranked second in the National League wRC+ (104), fifth in home runs (242) and sixth in OBP (.328) as well as slugging percentage (.442).
Hefner was drafted by the Mets as a pitcher twice, in 2004 and 2005, and pitched for two seasons from 2012-13. He most recently served as an assistant pitching coach for the Minnesota Twins. Hefner has the daunting task of straightening out the Mets’ shoddy bullpen starting with closer Edwin Diaz.
The key cog in this year’s staff will be Muelens, who spent the last 10 seasons with the San Francisco Giants – eight as a hitting coach and two as Bruce Bochy’s bench coach. He earned three World Series rings with the Giants.