The New York Mets are determined to return to relevancy in 2024.
They hired David Stearns to be their president of baseball operations, brought in the promising Carlos Mendoza to be their manager, and welcomed other important people in scouting and baseball ops.
The position of bench coach hadn’t been filled yet, though.
Until the last few hours.
“Mets are hiring former Blue Jays manager John Gibbons as their bench coach, a source confirms. First reported by @WillSammon and @Ken_Rosenthal,” Mets insider Mike Puma tweeted.
Mets are hiring former Blue Jays manager John Gibbons as their bench coach, source confirms. First reported by @WillSammon and @Ken_Rosenthal
— Mike Puma (@NYPost_Mets) November 23, 2023
Mendoza doesn’t have experience as a manager, but is highly regarded as a smart baseball man with top communication skills.
Gibbons, to the contrary, has loads of experience leading an MLB team.
He was the skipper of the Toronto Blue Jays from 2004 to 2008, and then from 2013 to 2018.
In the process, he took the Jays to a couple of consecutive American League Championship Series (ALCS) appearances in 2015 and 2016, losing to the Kansas City Royals and the Cleveland Guardians, respectively.
As a player, he saw some action in 1986 and has a World Series ring with the Mets, functioning as their bullpen catcher in the postseason.
Gibbons also has some experience as a coach.
He was the Jays first base coach from 2002 to 2024, and the Royals bench coach in 2009.
Gibbons has the potential to be the perfect complement to Mendoza, as the Mets try to find the perfect balance.
The organization got rid of some talented veterans, but with a better farm system and resources to sign free agents, they can make some noise in 2024.
