Mets bringing back Chili Davis as hitting coach

Carlos Beltran’s coaching staff is starting to take shape. While the New York Mets continue to interview potential pitching coaches and bench coaches, the team has reportedly agreed to a multi-year contract to retain hitting coach Chili Davis, according to Andy Martino. The Mets are also bringing back Tom Slater on a multi-year deal to serve as their assistant hitting coach.

In his first year with the Mets, Davis oversaw an offense that finished second in the National League in wRC+ (104), fifth in home runs (242), sixth in OPS (.770), sixth in fWAR (23.5), and seventh in runs (791). As of two days ago, Davis was rumored to be one of the finalists to become Joe Girardi’s hitting coach with the Philadelphia Phillies. Prior to coaching the Mets, Davis served as hitting coach for the Oakland Athletics, Boston Red Sox, and, most recently, the Chicago Cubs. Slater, meanwhile, has served as the team’s assistant hitting coach since the 2018 season.

With this vacancy filled, the most prominent searches remain for pitching coach and bench coach. The team has been busy interviewing candidates for pitching coach at the GM meetings, including former Met Jeremy Hefner as well as University of Michigan coach Chris Fetter. The team is also considering several options for bench coach, including Ron Wotus and Freddie Gonzalez.