David Stearns and Carlos Mendoza want to bring a fresh approach to the Mets, but also believe in maintaining a degree of continuity.
After announcing at Mendoza’s introductory press conference this past Tuesday that Jeremy Hefner would return for his fifth season as pitching coach, SNY reported on Friday that bench coach Eric Chavez will also remain with the Mets, but return to the role of hitting coach, the position he held during the 2022 season.
SNY reports that current hitting coach Jeremy Barnes will also be retained and will serve as a co-hitting coach with Chavez.
Originally poached from the Yankees coaching staff in January of 2022, Chavez embraced becoming a bench coach last season, as he viewed the new job title as a path to attaining a future managerial position, an opportunity he covets.
However, the Mets, who struggled offensively in 2023 (.238/.316/.407/.723), believe it’s in the organization’s best interests for Chavez to resume his prior responsibilities. The team performed better offensively with Chavez as hitting coach in 2022 (.259/.332/.412/.744).
The Mets have yet to name a bench coach for the 2024 season.
