6 articles
NYM •
18 days ago
This seemed like a done deal weeks ago, but now it’s finally crossing the finish line. Willard spent the last year working as Boston’s director of pitching after previously being employed by the Twins. He’ll be replacing Jeremy Hefner in New York.
Source: Rob Bradford
NYM •
about 1 month ago
Reports had come out that Willard had emerged as the favorite to land the role and it looks like the Mets worked quickly to get a deal done. The 35-year-old had been serving as the Red Sox’ director of pitching since September of 2023. He’ll join a Mets’ coaching staff that has been almost entirely remade around manager Carlos Mendoza this off-season after a brutally disappointing finish to the 2025 season.
NYM •
about 1 month ago
Willard, 35, is currently the Red Sox’ director of pitching, having served in that capacity since September of 2023. Prior to that, he worked in a minor league coaching role in the Twins’ organization. With so many teams still looking to finalize their coaching staffs, look for the Mets to try to strike quickly to lock up their man in the coming weeks.
Source: Will Sammon
NYM •
about 1 month ago
Assuming this is just about money, paying their first base coach is an odd place for the Mets to draw the line. Richardson got much of the credit for Juan Soto’s breakout as a basestealer. Who knows whether Soto would want to keep running as much in 2026 anyway, but Richardson’s departure might cut a bit into his steal projection.
Source: Jeff Passan
NYM •
about 2 months ago
Hitting coaches Jeremy Barnes and Eric Chavez were let go after the season, so Albert will be taking over the head role there, with a second hitting coach also likely coming in behind him. Albert, 44, joined the Mets in 2023 after working for the Astros and Cardinals. His only professional playing experience came during a couple of brief stints in indy ball; he went 3-for-18 in the Frontier League in 2003 and 0-for-4 in the American Association in 2006.
Source: Jeff Passan
NYM •
2 months ago
DiComo notes that pitching coach Jeremy Hefner and hitting coaches Jeremy Barnes and Eric Chavez are among those who will not be returning. It sounds like Mets’ skipper Carlos Mendoza will be working with almost an entirely new crew as they sort through the rubble of their epic collapse from the 2025 season.
Source: Anthony DiComo