Jeremy Hefner Joins the Braves-and Leaves the "Mets" Behind
Jeremy Hefner is now officially a Brave-and he’s leaning all the way into it. The former Mets pitching coach didn’t just change zip codes this offseason, he’s embracing his new role in Atlanta with a wink and a subtle jab at his old team. When asked about his former employer, Hefner referred to them simply as “that other team up north.”
It wasn’t a scathing remark. Far from it.
But in the ever-heated rivalry between the Braves and Mets, even a little shade can go a long way. For Mets fans, Hefner’s move to Atlanta already stung.
Now, with a tongue-in-cheek comment like that, he’s cemented his place as a bit of a villain in Queens-no matter how many years he spent trying to stabilize their pitching staff.
A New Chapter in Atlanta
Hefner joins a Braves staff that isn’t exactly in overhaul mode. Atlanta hasn’t gone the route of taking big swings on risky arms or overhauling the rotation.
Instead, they’re betting on health and continuity-believing that the arms already in-house can deliver over a full season. That puts Hefner in a position where he’s not being asked to reinvent the wheel, but he is being asked to keep it turning smoothly.
There’s work to be done, no doubt. But Hefner already appears to be settling in well.
His light-hearted dig at the Mets feels less like bitterness and more like a guy trying to endear himself to a new clubhouse and fanbase. And let’s be honest-calling the Mets “that other team up north” is more playful than petty.
The Mets Chapter: A Mixed Bag
Hefner’s time in New York was a bit of a rollercoaster. He joined the Mets coaching staff in 2020 and managed to stick around through multiple managerial and front office shake-ups.
That kind of staying power says something about how he was viewed internally. But after the team’s pitching collapsed late last season, a change felt inevitable.
To be fair, Hefner's tenure shouldn't be judged solely on wins, losses, or the development of aces. Jacob deGrom’s Cy Youngs came before Hefner arrived, and while David Peterson showed flashes under his watch, the Mets haven’t exactly been churning out homegrown pitching talent in recent years. That’s not all on the pitching coach.
And it’s hard to pin the struggles of veterans like Ryan Helsley or the injury setbacks of Kodai Senga on Hefner either. Coaching in the big leagues is often more about managing variables than controlling them, and the Mets had plenty of variables-especially on the mound.
A Familiar Face in the Other Dugout
When the Braves and Mets finally meet this June, Hefner won’t be the only familiar face lining up against his former team. Atlanta’s first base coach Antoan Richardson also spent time in the Mets organization. That first series could carry a little extra juice-not because of bad blood, but because of the shared history.
Until then, Hefner’s quiet rebranding as a Brave continues. His refusal to say “Mets” might be a small thing, but it’s the kind of moment that fans remember. It signals loyalty to the new squad and a clean break from the old one.
Let’s just hope he didn’t show up to camp with a Mets logo still stitched on his gear. Luke Weaver already beat him to that bit.