Overview
- Atlanta named Jeremy Hefner pitching coach and Antoan Richardson first-base coach, replacing Rick Kranitz and Tom Goodwin, with Fredi Gonzalez also informed he will not return.
- Richardson said he wanted to stay with the Mets but left after negotiations reflected “different thoughts on my value,” with reporting describing a late pension-eligibility constraint on New York’s offer.
- Hefner, the Mets’ pitching coach from 2020–25, is regarded for individualized development and comfort with analytics and biomechanics that supported multiple pitcher rebounds.
- Richardson drew praise for baserunning and outfield instruction, helping produce an MLB-best 89.1% stolen-base success rate in 2025 and aiding Juan Soto to a career-high 38 steals.
- The moves shift two trusted Mets voices to an NL East rival, with analysts noting potential marginal scouting and strategy advantages as New York works to fill the vacancies.