Paul Articulates – Big Wheel keep on turnin’

The flux continued in the Mets organization yesterday when Joey Cora agreed to terms with the Detroit Tigers to join their coaching staff.  

Cora, the third base coach for the Mets in the 2022 and 2023 seasons, transformed the Mets from a timid, base-to-base team to a more aggressive team and the result was very visible in runs scored.

The difference Cora made was noticeable.  In 2021 the Mets were 27th in MLB with 636 runs scored with Gary DiSarcina in the third base coaches’ box.  In 2022 the Mets were 5th in MLB with 772 runs scored with Joey Cora waving runners in from third.  

Sure, the team hit better in ’22 so they had more baserunners to score, but the eye test showed the difference – a much more aggressive base running attack.  In 2023, even though the hitting was anemic, the Mets still scored 717 runs with Cora’s aggressive style.

Cora was also the Mets’ infield coach, which in my observation led to much better infield play.  The Mets had the second highest fielding percentage (.988) and second fewest errors (67) in Cora’s first year coaching the infield.  Last year they regressed somewhat to .985 with 88 errors, but 30 of those were attributed to the new baby Mets as they adjusted to the speed of the game.

One could argue that there are plenty of qualified third base coaches and infield coaches available, but in losing Cora I feel that they lost one of the best.

There have been no other changes to the coaching staff to date, as Carlos Mendoza is newly announced in the Manager position and David Stearns has his focus on the GM meetings in Scottsdale this week.  I would expect many other changes, as it is customary for a new Manager to hand-pick the coaching staff for his first season.  

Along those lines, here is my wish list:

Wish they would stay: Eric Chavez (return to hitting coach), Wayne Kirby (1B and outfield), Glenn Sherlock (catchers)

Wish they would go: Jeremy Barnes (hitting coach), Eric Hinske (Asst hitting coach), Jeremy Hefner (pitching coach)

Wish I knew enough to decide: Danny Barnes (asst major league coach), Dom Chiti (bullpen coach)