UPDATE: The New York Mets are undergoing a significant coaching overhaul just days after missing the postseason, confirming the appointments of Kai Correa as bench coach and Jeff Albert as lead hitting coach for the 2026 season. This urgent shakeup comes after a disappointing finish, where the Mets ended the season at 83-79, losing a critical tiebreaker to the Cincinnati Reds for the final National League wild card spot.
Kai Correa will serve as the right-hand man to manager Carlos Mendoza, bringing experience from his previous roles as bench coach and interim manager with the San Francisco Giants, and a vital position in the coaching staff of the Cleveland Guardians since 2024. His hiring was first reported by Pat Ragazzo.
Meanwhile, Jeff Albert, the current director of hitter development, is set to step into the role of lead hitting coach. Albert, who previously held the same position with the St. Louis Cardinals, will be in uniform as he transitions from development roles to a more hands-on coaching position. His experience spans six years with the Houston Astros, where he worked closely with Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns.
The Mets are expected to announce further additions to their coaching staff, following the dismissal of several key figures, including hitting coaches Jeremy Barnes and Eric Chavez, as well as pitching coach Jeremy Hefner, bench coach John Gibbons, third-base coach Mike Sarbaugh, and catching coach Glenn Sherlock.
This aggressive staff revamp comes on the heels of a season that saw the Mets start strong at 45-24 but falter dramatically in the final stretch. The Mets’ offense ranked 10th in Major League Baseball in runs scored but struggled to maintain consistency, despite retaining core players like outfielder Juan Soto, shortstop Francisco Lindor, and outfielder Brandon Nimmo. Notably, first baseman Pete Alonso has announced plans to opt out of his contract, entering free agency for the second consecutive year.
As the Mets look to rebuild and strengthen their coaching lineup, fans and analysts will be watching closely for additional announcements and the impact of these changes on the team’s future. Stay tuned for the latest developments as this story unfolds.
