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| Lamar Johnson out as Mets hitting coach. Photo credit: USA Today Sports |
After mounting speculation for days, the New York Mets today finally made the expected move of canning their hitting coaches in favor of new ones.
By: Michael Hanley
Hitting coach Lamar Johnson and assistant hitting coach Luis Natera were informed by the Mets front office that they would not be retained in those roles on the team. Their is still no word on just who will replace the two men but New York will more than likely take their time in fill out these very important and crucial roles on the coaching staff.
Though Johnson and Natera did help the club in the second half improve their overall hitting to a certain degree, it was not enough in the front office eye's of the Mets. Their is certainly reason why they did not see that progress as sufficient enough as the Mets continued to struggle with runner sin scoring position, being consistent with hitting from game to game.
Their were too many stops and starts with this offense this year and was one of the reasons why they finished 79-83 this season, a sixth consecutive losing season for the franchise.
It is reported by Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, that Mets higher ups want to see the club improve on its situational hitting, thinking an improvement in that department can transform this offense and have it be one that will be a formidable one to deal with come next season along with the young and dynamic starting rotation.
The next hitting coach for the Mets will have to work with what is currently a limited lineup with not much balance and power to it. This could change of course if New York does indeed add some bats to the lineup to make it more productive and consistent. Until that happens though, the next hitting coach will run into the same problems Lamar Johnson & Luis Natera ran into during their season in control.
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