Endy Chavez (Jacob Resnick/MetsMerized)
With Sandy Alderson stepping aside as team president, general manager Billy Eppler has begun to revamp the organization and build it with his own people. As part of that process, the New York Mets organization will be parting ways with at least 15 minor league coaches, some of whom have been with the organization for many years.
One surprise name was Tim Teufel. Teufel has been a part of the Mets organization for over two decades in various roles. For the past six seasons, he served as the Mets’ minor league infield coordinator.
While there were no reasons given behind the decision, it should be noted Mark Vientos has not improved defensively. He was drafted as a shortstop and was moved to third base. Now, the long-term view on him is he may need to be a designated hitter. As noted by Mike Puma of the New York Post, he had been specifically entrusted with developing Brett Baty at third, who made his Major League debut this season.
Speaking of defense, Endy Chavez of home run robbing catch fame will also not return to the organization. Chávez has been part of the Mets organization on the coaching side since 2019 serving as the FCL Mets manager this past season. The FCL Mets went 33-22 this season and lost in the playoffs.
Another shocking move was the team parting ways with Phil Regan. Regan has been a minor league coach since 1987, and he has been with the Mets organization since 2009. The Vulture came to fame with Mets fans when he took over as pitching coach in 2019 for Dave Eiland, and he helped the pitching staff improve as the Mets rebounded with a terrific second half.
Other coaches not returning include minor league director of hitting Hugh Quattlebaum. Quattlebaum was maligned by the Mets fans when he replaced Chili Davis as the team’s hitting coach last season. Quattlebaum was replaced by Eric Chavez, who was noted to have a more simplified and contact-oriented approach. Quattlebaum originally hired to work in the minors, returned to that role for the 2022 season.
Former Mets catcher Brian Schneider was a field coordinator last season, but he will not return to the organization.
Our own Michael Mayer previously reported that Kevin Boles (AAA manager), Steve Schrenk (AAA pitching coach), Joel Chimelis (AAA hitting coach), and Jerome Williams (AA pitching coach) will not return for the 2022 season as well.
As noted by Puma, many of the departing coaches have strong ties to the previous regime and it looks like Billy Eppler wants to put his stamp on the Mets’ minor leagues. There may be other changes to the minor league staff during the offseason, and it is anticipated there will be changes to the pro scouting department as well.
