The New York Mets Initiate a Deep Restructuring After a Disappointing Season
New York – After missing the postseason despite having the most expensive roster at the start of the baseball season, the New York Mets are carrying out a major restructuring of their personnel.
Although manager Carlos Mendoza will remain at the helm of the team, it has been decided to dispense with pitching coach Jeremy Hefner. Hitting coaches Jeremy Barnes and Eric Chavez, as well as third base coach Mike Sarbaugh, will also not return, the team announced on Friday. Bench coach John Gibbons resigned and catching coach Glenn Sherlock is retiring.
The decision to replace Hefner comes despite some notable successes, including David Peterson and Sean Manaea.
Peterson achieved 10 victories in 2024 with an ERA of 2.90, the best of his career. Manaea equaled his personal best with 12 wins last year and an ERA of 3.47. However, that figure shot up to 5.64 in 15 appearances this year, including 12 starts.
Pitching and defense were the biggest problems for a team that had a 38-55 record in the last 93 games, after being the best in MLB with 45-24 in June. The offense was also not without blame, following the offseason signing of Juan Soto to a 15-year, $765 million contract. The mega-deal raised the Mets’ payroll to $429 million in salary and projected luxury tax.
When announcing this week that Mendoza would continue, the President of Baseball Operations, David Stearns, said that the rest of the coaching staff would be evaluated.
Pitching coach assistant Desi Druschel and bullpen coach José Rosado have been given permission to speak with other teams. First base coach Antoan Richardson, strategy coach Danny Barnes, and assistant coach Rafael Fernandez have been invited back.
