NEW YORK — The New York Mets have officially set fire to their coaching staff — figuratively and organizationally. According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the team has dismissed several key figures, including pitching coach Jeremy Hefner, hitting coaches Eric Chavez and Jeremy Barnes, and bench coach John Gibbons, marking one of the most dramatic overhauls in recent franchise history.
The move comes amid growing frustration after another underwhelming season, in which the Mets, despite boasting one of MLB’s highest payrolls, failed to live up to postseason expectations. Fans woke up to the bombshell with disbelief — and outrage. “I thought they loved Hefner,” one fan commented under the viral post. Another, more pointedly, asked: “But the manager stayed?”
The question captures the current mood in Queens. While the coaching carousel spins wildly, manager Carlos Mendoza remains in charge, a decision that has sparked confusion among analysts. Hefner, in particular, was considered one of the team’s most respected minds — credited with developing arms like Kodai Senga and turning around a bullpen that once looked hopeless.
But the Mets’ front office, led by President of Baseball Operations David Stearns, seems intent on a full cultural reset. Sources inside the organization describe the firings as part of a “strategic realignment” — a polite euphemism for cleaning house after months of internal tension between the analytics department and on-field staff.
Hefner’s dismissal marks the end of an era. A former Mets pitcher himself, he had been with the team since 2019 and earned a reputation as a player-first communicator. Meanwhile, hitting coaches Chavez and Barnes had been under fire for the club’s offensive inconsistency, as New York finished in the bottom half of the National League in key hitting metrics.
Bench coach John Gibbons — once known for his fiery leadership with the Blue Jays — also exits after just one season. His departure fuels speculation that the Mets are preparing for a deeper restructuring before the 2026 campaign.
This wave of firings might just be the beginning. Multiple insiders believe more staff changes could follow, as Stearns seeks to install his own trusted personnel. The timing — right after the season’s end — suggests urgency and a sense of controlled panic.
For a team that entered 2025 with championship hopes, the message is clear: no one’s job is safe.
As one longtime Mets supporter wrote bitterly online: “Same story, different names. The Mets clean house every year — but when will they actually fix the foundation?”
The Mets have not yet issued an official statement on replacements, but all signs point toward a turbulent offseason ahead — one that could redefine the identity of the franchise yet again.
Queens is burning. The Mets are rebuilding. But at what cost?
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