The Mets are bringing Mariano Duncan onto their major‑league coaching roster, New York Post’s Joel Sherman reports. While his exact title remains vague, he’ll work with position players across several areas. In a separate note, Mike Puma says Kevin Long is no longer being considered, and SNY’s Chelsea Janes adds that Cubs assistant hitting coach John Mallee has also been dropped.
Duncan, 63, logged more than ten seasons in the majors. Between 1985 and 1997 he wore the uniforms of the Dodgers, Reds, Phillies, Yankees and Blue Jays. Mostly a middle infielder, he still managed to appear at every spot on the field except pitcher and catcher.
After hanging up his glove, he shifted to the dugout and has spent over two decades coaching. Early‑2000s saw him in various minor‑league roles before landing his first big‑league gig with the Dodgers in 2006, where he served as first‑base coach through 2010. In my view, his long‑term minor‑league work gives him a unique perspective.
He later returned to the minors, handling hitting duties for several organizations. The Mets tapped him in 2019 as the Kingsport Rookie‑level hitting coach. When the 2020 season was canceled, he moved to bench coach for High‑A Brooklyn in 2021, then guided Double‑A Binghamton from 2022 through 2026.
Kevin Long was dismissed by the Phillies earlier this month after years as their hitting coach, and talks with the Mets fell through, Puma notes. While Troy Snitker is set to stay on the staff, director of hitting Jeff Albert appears out. Reports also hinted at interest in Cubs’ John Mallee, but he likely remains in Chicago. Will the Mets turn to another seasoned hitter’s coach to fill the void?