Mets Consider Cubs Hitting Instructor John Mallee for Staff Role

WHO:

NY Post - The Mets are considering veteran assistant hitting coach John Mallee for a staff role; Mallee has ties to Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns.

MLB.com - Cubs assistant hitting coach John Mallee, 57, is among the Mets’ interviewees for a coaching vacancy, according to an industry source.

MLB.com - Other named candidates include Kevin Long, 59, whom the New York Post had previously reported was being considered.

MLB.com - Mallee has been head hitting coach for the Astros (2013–14), Cubs (2015–17), and Phillies (2018–19). After a stint in Anaheim, he returned to Chicago as an assistant under hitting coach Dustin Kelly.

MLB.com - Mallee developed a close relationship with Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong.

MLB.com - The Mets retained hitting coach Troy Snitker and assistant Rafael Fernandez after dismissing director of hitting Jeff Albert.

MLB.com - Mets manager Andy Green signed a three-year contract after losing his interim designation.

WHAT:

MLB.com - Crow-Armstrong progressed from a below-average hitter during Mallee’s first season on the Cubs’ staff to an All-Star and probable National League MVP.

MLB.com - Crow-Armstrong led the NL in home runs (45), runs scored (119), slugging percentage (.570), and OPS (.942).

MLB.com - Under Kelly and Mallee, the Cubs led Major League Baseball in runs (850), slugging percentage (.428), and OPS (.767).

MLB.com - The Mets tied for 20th in runs, scoring 699, and dismissed Jeff Albert after the season.

MLB.com - Long was the Mets’ hitting coach from 2015–17; the team made two postseason appearances during that span and ranked 20th in runs per game.

MLB.com - Long is known for encouraging hitters to pull the ball in the air and received substantial credit for Daniel Murphy’s 2015 postseason breakout.

MLB.com - Long spent four seasons in Washington, where he developed a relationship with Juan Soto, then joined Philadelphia and helped Kyle Schwarber’s late-career breakout. The Phillies dismissed Long with two years remaining on his contract.

MLB.com - The Mets also parted ways with quality assurance coach Danny Barnes and batting-practice pitcher Kevin Mahoney.

WHERE:

MLB.com - Mallee most recently worked in Chicago with the Cubs; his earlier coaching work included Houston, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Anaheim.

MLB.com - The Mets’ coaching search is in New York.

WHEN:

MLB.com - Crow-Armstrong was below average in 2024, an All-Star in 2025, and the probable MVP in 2026.

MLB.com - Long coached the Mets from 2015–17, and the Phillies dismissed him earlier this month.

WHY:

NY Post - The Mets’ search includes Mallee as they seek instructional help in the hitting department.

MLB.com - The Mets’ coaching search followed the dismissal of director of hitting Jeff Albert; the club had not settled whether to hire a new hitting director above Snitker or an assistant beneath him.

(UPDATED October 21, 2026 02:19 UTC)

The Mets are considering Cubs assistant hitting coach John Mallee for a staff role as they look for instructional help following the dismissal of hitting director Jeff Albert. Mallee has led hitting staffs in Houston, Chicago and Philadelphia, and his work with Pete Crow-Armstrong has drawn notice: Crow-Armstrong went from a below-average hitter to an All-Star and probable National League MVP, leading the league in home runs, runs, slugging and OPS. The Mets are also considering Kevin Long, their hitting coach from 2015 to 2017, while retaining hitting coach Troy Snitker and assistant Rafael Fernandez.