The New York Mets have hired Kevin Long as their new hitting coach. Long, 47, was fired by the Yankees shortly after the 2014 regular season concluded. He was the odd-man-out in a shake-up on the Yankees coaching staff. The Yankees offense did not live up to their expectations this year, and were part of the reason the Yankees missed the postseason for the second straight season. Long spent eight seasons with the Pinstripes.
"Kevin's experience, success and wealth of knowledge make him the perfect fit as our hitting instructor," said Mets' general manager Sandy Alderson in a press release. "This is a very positive step for the Mets."
Alderson fired hitting instructor Dave Hudgens in May after a poor offensive start to the season. The Amazin's had better success with interim hitting instructor Lamar Johnson, though he will not retained at the major league level. Johnson will return to his job as a minor league hitting coordinator. Assistant hitting coach Luis Natera will also return to a Mets minor league affiliate.
Kevin Long was likable for the Mets because of his relationship with former Yankee Curtis Granderson. In his first year with the Mets, Granderson struggled mightily. Long will look to restore his success with Granderson in the orange and blue as they will try to get back to his two 40 home run, sensational seasons in the Bronx. Granderson is entering his second year of a four year, $60 million contract.
Long will also have the task of fixing Mets captain David Wright. Wright had his worst offensive season as a professional in 2014. Wright hit a career-low eight home runs, and only drove in 63 runs. He hit .269, the second-worst batting average of his career. Wright and Granderson will have to return to their All Star-caliber form if the Mets want a productive middle-of-the-order.
The Mets ranked amongst the bottom of National League teams in 2014 in offense categories. New York was eighth in runs scored (629), ninth in home runs (125), and 13th in team batting average (.239).
The Mets also announced today that they have hired Dustin Clarke as their new major strength and conditioning coach. Clarke, who held that same position in 2014 with the Mets AAA affiliate Las Vegas, will replace Jim Malone.