Mets set to lose first base coach Antoan Richardson as staff overhaul continues

The Mets’ coaching staff turnover continues.

The Amazin’s will be in the market for a new first base coach with Antoan Richardson expected to leave the organization after the sides couldn’t agree on a new contract, per ESPN’s Jeff Passan.

Richardson, 42, joined the Mets as part of Carlos Mendoza’s staff in December 2023 and was instrumental in the Mets’ reinvigorated run game this season, turning Juan Soto into a threat on the basepaths with an NL-leading 38 swiped bags in his first season with the team.

Mets right fielder Juan Soto (22) celebrates his RBI single during the third inning against the Philadelphia Phillies with first base coach Antoan Richardson. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

“Since the beginning, I’ve wanted to help the team any way I can and it’s great to find another way,” Soto said in August. “I always wanted to do it, but I never got the help I needed. … He’s helped me with how to read pitchers, take good leads and get jumps.”

Richardson was kept on when the team moved on from hitting coaches Eric Chavez and Jeremy Barnes, pitching coach Jeremy Hefner, infield coach Mike Sarbaugh and assistant pitching coach Desi Druschel.

Mets first base coach Antoan Richardson reacts after a home run by Juan Soto. AP

Catching instructor Glenn Sherlock is also set to retire, adding to the offseason tumult.

The Mets have begun remaking their staff — hiring Troy Snitker to be the next hitting coach, promoting Jeff Albert to be the director of hitting and bringing on Kai Correa as bench coach — but will need to replace another personnel member now.