Richardson expected to depart Mets after extension talks falter
The Mets and Antoan Richardson were unable to reach a deal on a new contract, and the first base coach is now expected to depart the club, according to a report on Monday from ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
Richardson joined the Mets soon after Carlos Mendoza was hired as the manager in December 2023. He previously served as the first base coach in San Francisco (2019-23).
During his time in Queens, Richardson, 42, was lauded for his work with Mets baserunners, helping the club set a record of 39 stolen bases in a row without getting caught and assisting Juan Soto to tie for first in the NL with 38 steals in 2025.
“We’ve put in a lot of hard work since the beginning of the season,” Soto said after he became the fifth Met in the 30-30 club. “Antoan did an unbelievable job, he’s been helping me since Day 1. So I think I give him all the credit. He’s the one who put me in this situation and in this spot to do what I’ve done.”
As a team last year, the Mets stole 147 bases (5th most in baseball) and were caught just 18 times (2nd fewest).
In addition to Richardson, hitting coaches Eric Chavez and Jeremy Barnes, pitching coach Jeremy Hefner, bench coach John Gibbons, third base/infield coach Mike Sarbaugh, catching instructor Glenn Sherlock (who is retiring), and assistant pitching coach Desi Druschel have all departed Mendoza’s staff this offseason.
On Monday, SNY’s Andy Martino reported the hiring of Troy Snitker to be the next hitting coach. He joins the coaching staff along with new bench coach Kai Correa. Strategy coach Danny Barnes and coaching assistant Rafael Fernandez are expected to remain on the staff, along with Jeff Albert, who was tabbed to lead the major league hitting program.