First-base coach Antoan Richardson will part ways with the New York Mets on Monday after neither side could come to terms on a new contract, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN. Passan noted Richardson is expected to leave the organization.
Richardson Will Part Ways
Richardson came to Queens after manager Carlos Mendoza was hired in December 2023. He previously was the San Francisco Giants’ first-base coach from 2019 to 23. He took part in the Giants 2021 playoff run. During his time with the Mets, the 42-year-old assisted multiple players with base running.
Richardson helped the team steal 39 bases in a row without getting caught, a team record. He also assisted Juan Soto during the outfielder’s first season with the Mets. Soto finished the year with 38 stolen bases, 43 home runs, 105 RBI and 20 doubles. Under Richardson’s guidance, Soto became the first player in franchise history to record more than 30 stolen bases and 40 home runs.
As a team, the Mets stole 147 bases, fifth most in Major League Baseball, and were caught 18 times, second fewest in the league.
“We’ve put in a lot of hard work since the beginning of the season,” Soto said. “Antoan did an unbelievable job; he’s been helping me since Day One. He’s the one who put me in this situation and in this spot to do what I’ve done.”
Looking Ahead
Mets general manager and president of baseball operations David Stearns will need to sign a new first base coach after his team couldn’t re-sign Richardson, who isn’t the only coach to leave the organization. Hitting coaches Eric Chavez and Jeremy Barnes, pitching coach Jeremy Hefner, bench coach John Gibbons, third base coach Mike Sarbaugh and assistant pitching coach Desi Druscel have all departed. The Mets have begun filling the openings by hiring Troy Snitker as their next hitting coach. He joins Mendoza’s coaching staff alongside Kai Correa, Danny Barnes, Rafael Fernandez and Jeff Albert.
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