Mets Add Two Coaches to Carlos Mendoza’s New Staff

The New York Mets aren’t wasting any time shaking up their coaching staff after missing the playoffs in 2024. They’re bringing in Kai Correa as their new bench coach and bumping Jeff Albert up to lead the major league hitting program.

These moves mark the first big steps in manager Carlos Mendoza’s overhaul after an 83–79 season that just didn’t cut it.

Kai Correa Brings Versatility and Experience to the Mets’ Bench

At 37, Kai Correa brings this interesting mix of energy and experience. He grew up in Hawaii, and his baseball journey includes a handful of important roles across Major League Baseball.

He was with the Cleveland Guardians most recently as their major league field coordinator, and then as director of defense, strategy, and baserunning.

Correa also spent 2020 to 2023 with the San Francisco Giants, showing off his leadership chops. He even filled in as interim manager after Gabe Kapler left.

He’s handled all kinds of responsibilities, which should help him out in Queens as he steps into the job John Gibbons left when he resigned last season.

What Correa’s Hiring Means for the Mets

Correa’s expected to be both a tactical sounding board for Carlos Mendoza and a motivator in the clubhouse. His track record suggests he can help the Mets modernize their in-game decisions, defensive alignments, and baserunning.

They definitely need to close the gap in the tough NL East, and Correa might just give them that edge.

Jeff Albert Steps Up to Lead Hitting Program

The Mets are also turning to Jeff Albert to steer their major league hitters. Albert, who turns 45 on Halloween, has a pretty deep coaching background.

He worked as the St. Louis Cardinals’ hitting coach from 2019 to 2022, then joined the Mets as director of hitting development.

Now, Albert moves out of the background and into the spotlight. His hitting philosophies will shape the Mets’ offense in 2025 and probably beyond.

A New Direction for Mets’ Offense

Jeremy Barnes and Eric Chavez are out as hitting coaches, with their contracts not being renewed for 2026. With Albert at the helm, Mets hitters can expect a data-driven approach that still makes room for practical, individualized tweaks.

The hope is that this will finally bring some consistency to the lineup.

Staff Overhaul Still in Progress

Even with these hires, the Mets still have some big holes to fill. They haven’t named a pitching coach, third base coach, or catching coach yet.

• Pitching coach
• Third base coach
• Catching coach

It’s going to be important to lock down those spots soon, especially with spring training creeping up.

Final Thoughts on the Mets’ Coaching Changes

Off-season changes in baseball can really set the tone for what’s coming. The Mets’ choices to bring in Kai Correa and Jeff Albert feel like more than just routine moves.

Honestly, it looks like Carlos Mendoza wants to shake things up. This mix of new energy and solid experience might be just what the Mets need to turn a so-so season into a real playoff chase.

There are still a few open coaching spots, so it’s safe to expect more news soon. Mets fans, at least, can see the team’s not sitting still after missing October baseball in 2024.

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Here is the source article for this story: Mets hire 2 coaches for Mendoza’s new staff, AP source says