Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports that the Mets and Chili Davis are close to agreement that would bring him back as their hitting coach for the 2020 season.
Mets have a new manager in Carlos Beltran, but have yet to make any announcements in terms of coaching positions. They did interview Jeremy Hefner and Chris Fetter on Monday for pitching coach.
Original Report – Nov. 12, 12:01 PM
According to a report from Matt Breen of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Chili Davis is a finalist for the Phillies hitting coach job.
Chili Davis is joined by former Phillies and Padres hitting coach Matt Stairs, and Nationals assistant hitting coach Joe Dillon. Chili Davis is a well-respected coach but never seems to stay in one place long. Davis has been the hitting coach for the A’s, Red Sox, Cubs, and Mets. He has never stayed in one job for more than three years.
Davis’ latest stop was with the Mets in 2019. Under Davis the Mets improved from 23rd in runs scored in 2018 to 13th in 2019, 19th in WRC+ in 2018 to seventh in 2019, 28th in batting average in 2018 to 11 in 2019, and 20th in strikeouts to 11th in strikeouts. Though it is hard to say how much of an impact Davis himself had with the Mets carrying Pete Alonso, J.D. Davis, Wilson Ramos, and a full season of Jeff McNeil in 2019.
Still, the Mets were reportedly interested in bringing Davis back in 2020, but he would only agree to a lucrative multi-year deal. This has caused a standoff between Davis and the Mets. So, it should come as no surprise that he has decided to seek out other options.
The Mets and Phillies continue to show complete opposite ides of building a coaching staff this offseason. The Phillies have searched out the most experienced candidates at every position on their coaching staff they could. Hiring Joe Girardi as manager, Bryan Price as pitching coach, and now looking at Chili Davis as hitting coach. Where as the Mets have looked for young inexperienced rising stars. Hiring Carlos Beltran, and looking at Jeremy Hefner and Chris Fetter for pitching coach.
Only time will tell which approach is best. This is certainly a storyline to keep an eye on during the 2020 season.
