The Mets are searching for a new hitting coach after parting ways with Jeff Albert, and the process may not be as straightforward as they’d like. Albert, who was promoted to the major league staff after leading the organization’s minor league hitting program, lasted just one season in the job before the club decided to move on.
Now the focus shifts to candidates, with Kevin Long and Cubs assistant hitting coach John Mallee among the names being considered. Long stands out as the most recognizable option. He previously served as the Mets’ hitting coach in 2015, the last season they reached the World Series, and he also brings championship experience from title runs with the New York Yankees in 2009 and the Washington Nationals in 2019.
"It feels like Kevin Long has the inside track, given his relationship with Juan Soto from their time with the Washington Nationals," a league source told FanSided. "Mallee is a great candidate, if Long declines. Mallee has a long track record of working well with star players."
Mallee has his own strong case. He played a key role in Pete Crow-Armstrong’s rise from a below average hitter to an MVP frontrunner in Chicago, and he was part of the Cubs’ staff when they won the World Series in 2016, ending a 108-year drought.
If the Mets are leaning on track record and familiarity, Long would seem to fit the safest path. He has delivered results in multiple places, including Queens, and his history with Soto could matter in this search.
Troy Snitker and Rafael Fernandez are set to return to the Mets’ coaching staff next season, which means the club is looking to replace only Albert’s spot.
Still, the bigger issue may not be who the Mets want, but who wants them. The team is interviewing candidates, but that apparently doesn’t mean the balance of power is in New York’s favor.
"The problem the Mets face is that candidates are more interviewing them than the other way around," the same league source said. "The industry feels like going to the Mets can set you career back."
That’s the reality around a team coming off a rough 2026, one that failed to meet expectations despite a hefty payroll and missed the postseason for a second straight year. With uncertainty hanging over the franchise, the Mets may not be the easiest sell right now, especially if another playoff miss in 2027 would bring sweeping changes.
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Now theres a bit more context to revisit it with. Ohtani never moved in a trade, eventually leaving the Angels through free agency instead, while the Mets have since watched those prospect names take very different paths. Baty and Parada remain part of the conversation in Queens, Ramirez has his own development track, and the old what-if is the kind of front-office debate that never really disappears when a player like Ohtani is involved. [Read more 🡒]