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

LOS ANGELES — After filling one coaching position on Monday the Mets may have another one to consider.

Antoan Richardson, the team’s first base/baserunning coach who survived a staff purge after the season and was invited to return, is “far apart” with the Mets on terms of a new contract, according to industry sources, and is expected to depart the organization.

Richardson, 42, was credited with the team’s success stealing bases this season. Most significantly he was a favorite of Juan Soto, who stole a career-high 38 bases and publicly credited Richardson for his success.

“The two of them are tight,” a person close to Soto said.

The Yankees have an opening for a first base coach, and a person connected to Richardson indicated he could be a candidate for the job. Richardson joined Mets manager Carlos Mendoza’s staff before the 2024 season after four seasons as a Giants coach.

On Monday, the Mets hired Troy Snitker — the son of former Braves manager Brian Snitker — as a hitting coach. Snitker will work under Jeff Albert, who was recently promoted from his minor league position to oversee the major league Mets hitting program.

Snitker, 36, previously served as a hitting coach for the Astros (where he worked with Albert). Snitker was part of the Astros coaching staff for the team’s 2022 World Series championship.

Richardson would become the seventh Mets coach not to return for next season. After the second-half nosedive that ended with the Mets missing the postseason, bench coach John Gibbons stepped aside and catching instructor Glenn Sherlock retired. Hitting coaches Eric Chavez and Jeremy Barnes were fired and pitching coach Jeremy Hefner’s 2026 option was declined. Third base coach Mike Sarbaugh was informed his contract would not be renewed.

The Mets have since hired Kai Correa as their new bench coach, in addition to Albert and Snitker for the hitting department.

ESPN first reported Richardson’s likely departure.