New York Mets Make Exciting Move, Bringing John Gibbons Onboard as Bench Coach

7:50pm: New York is making moves, reportedly hiring Antoan Richardson as their first base coach. This news comes from Anthony DiComo of MLB.com (on X), following Richardson’s four-season stint in the same role under Gabe Kapler in San Francisco.

6:49pm: The Mets are also bringing on John Gibbons as their bench coach, according to a tweet from Mike Puma of the New York Post. This move follows reports from Will Sammon and Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic (X link) indicating the Mets’ imminent agreement with Gibbons.

After naming former Yankee bench coach Carlos Mendoza as their new manager, the Mets are seeking experienced voices for their coaching staff. Gibbons, at 61 years old, fits the bill.

A first-round pick by the Mets in 1980, Gibbons had a brief stint as a player in New York before embarking on a longer career as a manager. He began his coaching career in the Mets system in 1990 and later managed the Toronto Blue Jays for multiple seasons, leading them to several successful campaigns.

Gibbons has been considered for managerial positions in the past and will now return to the coaching staff as Mendoza’s top lieutenant.

Additionally, there are reports that New York is close to hiring Jose Rosado as bullpen coach and Mike Sarbaugh as third base coach (source). Rosado previously worked with Mendoza in the Yankees’ farm system, while Sarbaugh held the same role under Terry Francona in Cleveland for 11 seasons.