REPORT: Mets To HIRE Red Sox Guru Justin Willard as NEW Pitching Coach (Mets News)

REPORT: Mets To HIRE Red Sox Guru Justin Willard as NEW Pitching Coach (Mets News)

Mets fans, it’s a new day, it’s a new week, it’s a new month, and it’s time for us to get rolling with the official start of Major League Baseball off seasonason. How we doing everybody? It’s Wardy here breaking down all the latest news and rumblings of Mets land. And folks, in case you did not check out our live stream from this past night, please make sure you do so as we broke down in real time our immediate reactions to the LA Dodgers winning back-to-back World Series championships and what David Sterns and Steve Cohen must learn from the continued winning ways of said Dodgers so that way these Mets can finally somehow someway get themselves out of the rut that they continue to find themselves in. Because today folks, we have some significant news to get into that has dropped over the past 24 hours initially from my good friend the platform that you guys will see on the platform in the near future. That being Wolf Salmon of the Athletic, making it known that the Mets are closing in on their new pitching coach and that is in fact going to be the guru for the Boston Red Sox. The man who is literally the director of pitching in Boston who’s helped lead a Red Sox club to being one of the best pitching staffs in all of baseball this past calendar year. not just at the major league level, but most certainly at the minor league level as well. We’re going to amplify how important that is when evaluating this future of this Mets rotation. That is one Justin Willard. So, we’re going to break down who exactly Justin is because I’m sure many of you guys are not overly familiar with him and what he’s going to provide to this Mets team, why a lot of Mets fans are more than likely going to be excited about this hire for rightful reason. and what is the type of philosophies that he’s going to bestow upon this pitching staff moving forward as he’ll be pairing there with Eric Jagger who’s already in the Mets department as the leader of pitching outside of Jeremy Hefner who obviously is no longer with us who Justin is now replacing hit that like and subscribe button on your way in everybody as it’s a great way to support the platform and thank you so much for doing exactly that folks and of course shout out to each and every one of you for your continued support now that we are in the offseason everybody be on the lookout for pretty much daily content we’ll be having live streams every single week for the most part as well as long as there’s topics worthy to have discussion on and once things really get in the heart of the news and rumor front as we get deeper in November when looking at the qualifying offers when looking at tender and non-tender contracts making some signings and trades of significance we’ll be covering all here on the platform as we always do but I don’t want to waste any time I’m really excited to get into this and for rightful reason yes I know apples and oranges you have an LA Dodger fan base that’s ecstatic about having another offseason where they are the reigning champions where Hey, I’m a little kid in a candy shop over our latest pitching coach hire. You know, hopefully one day, sooner rather than later, we find ourselves more in the Dodger category of actually enjoying an offseason because you had yourself an absolute banner of a playoff run. Well, folks, as we see here, Wol Sammon of the Athletic. Check out his entire article. I’ll have a link down below to each and every one of you. The Mets are closing in on their search of new pitching coach with Justin Willard emerging as a favorite. And I can tell you guys that it’s unofficially official. Willard is going to be the hireer for the New York Mets. I promise you that. And once you guys see that officially, you come back here and you say, “Oh, great. Already has a breakdown for each and every one of us.” Lord, 35 is a Red Sox director of pitching. Previously, he spent several years with the Twins. And he did spend several years with the Twins up until 2023 where he officially was hired there with the Red Sox as he has been their director of pitching. And not only has he been working there in direct hand with the active pitching coach, one of the best pitching coaches in all of baseball, mind you, and that is not an understatement. And the great Andrew Bailey, former San Francisco Giants pitching coach, now Red Sox pitching coach, and he’s done wonders for them the past calendar year there under Craig Brelo especially. But outside of working with Andrew Bailey daily at the major league level, this man has also been working heavily at the minor league level. And it’s because of specifically one Mr. Willard that we’re going to break down today that we have seen the great success to a degree and the Red Sox farm because in case you guys have been living under a rock, let me enlighten you as to how good the Mets farm was this past year. From Port St. Lucy all the way up to AAA Syracuse, the Mets were one of the best overall minor league organizations in all of baseball. That was heavily backed by their dominant pitching. Whether it was guys that we saw in the St. Lucy level to the Cyclones level to the of course Rumble Pony and Syracuse level, the Mets had ace caliber starters at every single level throughout the course of the year. paying heavy credit not only to their drafting but their player development that they’ve done over the past calendar season. Well, the Red Sox, look no further because they’re in direct company of that exact same type of conversation. They had a lot of great success in the minor leagues this past year. One of the best farms in all baseball when evaluating their pitching talent. When we look at some of the young and very exciting arms that impacted them both righties and lefties this year, we have to look at the fact that this man Willard had his hands all over not only the drafting of some of these players, but ultimately the early blossomings. Whether it’s their top prospects and early Dobbins or of course their Mr. Tully who I love there for the Boston Red Sox among many others. These guys are just a couple examples of ones that have been directly impacted by Willard not only being a heavy advocate and them getting drafted, but also being a heavy proponent in their development to this point, which is what helped prompt guys like Tuli to get all the way to the major league level this past year. You also look at this Red Sox team, folks. How were they in pitching this past season? Well, according to Fang Graphs’ wins above replacement war, if you will, they were seventh in all Major League Baseball of their pitching. Okay, you want to look at just baseline RA for those that live and die with the RA statistics? Sure, the Boston Red Sox were top five in all Major League Baseball this past year. I think you guys are connecting the dots along with me. The Mets have themselves a slam dunk of a hire here. And Lauren is only 35 years of age. So, I love the youth movement here. And here’s why. Jeremy Hefner, when he was first brought in as a Mets pitching coach, was not at all long removed from his playing days. Former New York Met pitcher as well for that matter. And I think not only the experience, but the youth movement is imperative to understand today’s game and today’s numbers. And I have some great quotes I’m going to be sharing with you all here shortly in regards to Willard. But ultimately, what the Mets are getting someone like him is someone who quite literally is a perfect resume for what they’re looking for. Because the Mets are looking for someone who’s going to be able to help properly develop and get the best out of the youth movement, especially with their rotation. And look no further than a Mets rotation next season. That’s headline right now. Barring changes because of course they need to compete in spring training. Some may not make the team out of camp, but it’s inevitable that they will be impacting the team at some point throughout the course of next year, even if it’s not right away, barring changes that we don’t know at this point in time. And that’s Kristen Scott returning from reconstructive Tommy John surgery. Everyone’s sleeping on Kristen Scott. And let me enlight you, kid a stud, and he will be a very good right-hander for this Mets team. I’m excited to see the former Florida boy pair with his former teammate at Florida that beat him Brandon Sprout this time around. Jonah Ton who has endless high upside as we know so young, so exciting. You also look at one Nolan Mlan who’s already established as our ace. You look at guys that are nippy on the heels are not far away from the major leagues with their great talent and that includes guys like Zack Thoron, Jack Wigger, Jonathan Sanuchcci, RJ Gordon, Will Watson, the list goes on and on everybody. The Mets have an abundance of talent in the minor leagues right now in pitching. They’re actually ranked first in all of minor league baseball right now when evaluating their pitching depth. So for more reasons than one, the Mets are perfectly primed to have some great Yan development with their pitching begin as soon as next season outside of the great blossoming this past year of one null Mlan. And you look at not only everything that he’s been able to do to this point there in Boston, but I mean you even go back to his time with the Twins and the great work he was doing with their pitching staff as well. This man has been involved in the game for the past at least five to seven years now when evaluating pitching at the minor league and major league front. And now he’s going to have his hands all over the New York Mets here. And there is one specific aspect of this that I think is very important to highlight and I’m going to do exactly that right here right now because I want to make sure that I do not miss any of this, you know. And with the Red Sox, Willard spent a lot of time obviously working with Andrew Bailey as we mentioned and breaking down video and data that includes of course biomechanical pitch movement among many other things, you know, to boost pitchers results. And there is a fantastic quote that I have to share with each and every one of you from Willard himself when breaking down what was he initially planning to bring to the Boston Red Sox when he was first hired as their director of pitching. And this quote honestly is as good as it gets. Everybody listen to this. And this is Willard speaking. Really simple. And I quote, “Throw nasty stuff in the zone. You can have nasty stuff, but it’s not going to be maximized if you’re not in the zone,” said Willard. And then vice versa. If you’re in the zone and you’re getting hit, we’ve got to develop better stuff. I think most importantly, defining that the players are defining that for players and defining what the scoreboard is. What What’s the rule book rule book? He says, I always use an example. If you’re going to play Monopoly for the first time, you’re going to read the rules to understand what the game is. For the longest time, we’ve been playing one game, that’s not what we’re playing now. And really helping players evaluate that and understand that drive buy in and drives good questions and conversations. I love that quote, especially the the kind of the comparison to Monopoly there in the sense that Monopoly from its conception, obviously, you understand that the game is supposed to be played in this one way. Well, the playing field has changed and it’s not played in just this one way anymore. And that old school way of thinking is not only a manner that I think hurt the Mets from guys like Eric Chavez this past year on the offensive front with the ups and downs that came along with it along with you know were they missed the mark years prior prior to Jeremy Hefner because I don’t believe Hefner was at heavy fault for the lack of pitching for the Mets this year injuries or things that are out of his control as a coach. However, there was something missing about Jeremy Hefner this year. uh what we were hoping to maybe see more of to get the best and the maximization out of this rotation. It appears the Mets are now going to finally be able to do that now. But with their youth movement in the process and this is what makes us hire even more and more of a slam dunk. The fact that the Mets are on the cusp of relying heavily on their internal options for their rotation. Perwood obviously a potential trick school blockbuster pursuit. a one of a Fremer Valdez, a Freddy Peralta, a Joe Ryan, if we’re getting crazy, a Dylan CE, you know, a Sandy Contra, Edward Cabrera, Mitch Keller. There’s plenty of varying degrees of talents of starters available in the market. Well, the point now is is that whoever the Mets decide to bring in for this rotation, the philosophy will not only continue to be forward way of thinking, but it’s going to be even more advanced, but more relatable to the player and a way where maybe Jeremy Hefner for one reason or another either got still at with his voice or just missed the mark on entirely. And this hires in very much similarity to the Mets new bench coach and Kai Koreah and what they’re trying to build. These are young, more analytically minded players, uh, pardon me, coaches, biomechanical type people as well. And yes, you can see the flaws that come with these numbers when you use them too much. But we also see the success when it’s properly balanced. And the Red Sox are prime example of the amount of success that they had this past year or two and direct because of again having their guru here and Willard having his hands on quite literally everything. So to say that this was a good hire by the Mets truly feels like an understatement. And it’s easy for me to make that kind of claim sometimes when you’re always bringing in someone new. But it’s another when you actually have someone who has a track record of an organization that’s pretty much top five in pitching in baseball this past calendar year and was also one of the best in the minor leagues. That is a perfect pairing for a team that will be having multiple rookie type right-handers and potentially lefties if one of those Zack Thornons among others can really blossom at some point next year potentially. Either way, the Mets are in great hands. as it does appear with Justin. I’m really excited to see what he’s going to be able to do with Eric Joers cuz that is the bigger aspect of this all cuz Eric Joers is the one who obviously has been breaking down this film extensively. He is the active director of Mets pitching for the most part. So he will be working coinciding right in hand with one Justin Willard the same way that Justin was working directly in hand with Ace Bailey. So interestingly enough this is actually an upgrade and not Ace I apologize even though that sounds like a nice name. Andrew Bailey. So, I meant to say, and no, this is not a demotion for him because he’s gonna be fully at the major league level. Now, the difference from what he was doing prior with the Red Sox is that while he was working and reporting with Andrew Bailey daily, he was having his hands all over the minor leagues. Instead, now, while yes, he will be dabbling the minor leagues, the heavy emphasis here will be obviously on what he’s doing daily with the major league roster for the New York Mets. So that is how this is an upgrade of a position to go into the full-time pitching coach role now to again work side by side with what we have there in Eric Jagger who is a very young analytical biomechan biome mechanical type mind. I think that this is going to be a perfect blend. The Mets have absolutely hammered home and have slam dunk this far this off seasonason and bringing in guys that are going to be nice seamless pairs for who they have internal Eric Joers as well as who the Mets have now on heading. Everything looks like it’s now finally coming in unison. dominoes are falling but in the right manner instead of how we had you know Eric Chavez and Jeremy Barnes two guys on the poor opposite side of the spectrum and how they evaluate heading yet they’re the two heading coaches that are supposed to combine their information on a daily basis it didn’t work out a lot of the times the numbers may say it did but the eye test most certainly said it didn’t and the clutch gene the lack of it the oh going 0 for 70 once you are the ninth inning trailing a runner more speaks for itself self. So the pitching while Jeremy Heft was not the sole reason as to why the Mets had their wos this past year, he also didn’t necessarily help too much either. You know, you have to wonder how much was Hefner the driving factor behind the kick change for one Klay Holmes and really fine-tuning his arsenal from a reliever to a starter. He had plenty hand and say there, but to what degree is one is what one ponders my opinion. Also, Steve Con was going scorched earth. If he wasn’t going to fire Carlos Mendoza, that entire staff was going to go. So that way, Sterns can pick every single one of his guys because reminder, Jeremy Hefner’s been in the Mets organization for the entire time that Cohen was here. So that was a grandfathered in position as was the case with Chavez, as was the case with Barnes, and as was the case with some other areas the Mets have now led open to having new coaching opportunities for. So in the case of Willard, he not only enters the big market going from Boston to New York, one big market to another. He goes from an organization that’s been absolutely jaw-droppingly good with their pitching. I mean, Garrick Cosch is one of the best starters in baseball. And we got to see Mr. Willard work side by side and direct hand with him throughout the course of the year. It’s it’s only great names that I’m saying you guys. So I know this is part where you say to me in the comments, Wardy, why are we talking about Joe Schmo? Justin Ward’s a schmuck. He’s a no-name. He’s going to do nothing for this team. I understand you and your casual take. That’s fine. I expect it. It’s inevitable. All I’m here to say is there’s a lot to like here regardless on if you want to like it or not. Okay. So, that’s what we have here in Justin, everybody. There are some other great information that you guys can find out there a little bit more on him, his philosophies, and how he plans to approach and ultimately attack Mets pitching. But I really go back to that quote and hammering having nasty stuff in the zone. The Mets were horrendous when it came to walking everybody and their mother the past year. The heavy factor as to why the Mets could not provide length for their starters beyond 4.2 to five innings in many cases would be because they were walking guys three, four, five plus times a game as your starter. You just cannot do that. Okay? And the Red Sox were unbelievably proficient this past year from the minor leagues up and trying to eliminate that walk rate to a degree. So, not only has Willard helped tremendously on that front, but the emphasis on having nasty stuff in the zone, if it isn’t working, obviously vice versa, then you have we obviously have to work on your arsenal more and get yourself right so you can be the pitcher that we’re trying to mold you and blend you to be along with what you want to be yourself, have the success that you’re longing for. And this is not the only coaching hire that we’re actually breaking down today, everybody, because a little sneak peek, we do actually have a minor league coach that we’re going to break down today. But the reason why we’re going to have a little bit of expanded conversation on the coach for the minor leagues is because that coach who the Mets brought in for DA that we’re going to break down shortly is a coach that is probably going to skyrocket to the major league level. Another name that you might not be too familiar with and that’s okay because I’m here to enlighten you to each and every one of you so that way you guys know. But before we get on to that next topic, everybody, I definitely want to hear from each and every one of you and the comments down below on your thoughts and your excitement level on the hires the Mets have done with their coaching staff this far. I have not at all been complaining about who the Mets have brought in. However, I am sincerely complaining about who the Mets are allowing a walk. Now, as we know, Antoine Richardson, who was the guru for the Mets in their base running the past year, the reason why Juan Sodto became north of a 4040 player for the third first time his career, heavily credits, rightfully so, Antoine Richardson, who we can all agree wasn’t really at all a household name of a coach for the Mets up until this year because of how efficient the Mets were with their base running. Antoine was all over that and he was a heavy factor behind that success. Well, according to reports, according to Andy Martino of SNY, hasn’t been for a lack of effort by the Mets. done supposedly everything that they can to bring back Antoine Richardson, but they have not reached an agreement on a new contract and Richardson is expected to leave the organization. Now, that is the lone coaching move that I’m very disheartened by because while Richardson is not a guy that I think fans should be overly losing sleep over because why lose sleep over a first base coach in that same breath, who is the active manager right now for the Miami Marlins? That same man previously interviewed for the Mets managerial role before I believe Buck Shoalter took it and was the multi-year first base coach for the LA Dodgers. Marlins are on the up and up swing and they have a smart man there leading the charge. That’s just a prime example of just because you were a first base coach doesn’t mean that you can’t potentially be more of value elsewhere. And that’s where I think the Mets reached a crossroads sadly with Antoine Richardson because one, they had a losing season and a walk year for him on a contract when he was the story of the Mets coaching staff this year. It wasn’t Carlos Mendoza for anything positive at least. It was most certainly Antoine Richardson. So pair that with knowing Antoine’s looking for a nice payday. Not that Steve Cohen can’t pony it up, but rather they’ve done everything that they can, but he wants to lead the organization. That says more about Antoine just not wanting to be with the Mets because they’re the Mets. And you can you blame the guy? The Mets didn’t make playoffs this year. He did so many things right with their base running. The Mets played horrendous baseball from mid June on all year long for the most part. If I’m Antoine Richardson, if I see an opportunity to move up instead of lateral from first base coach to first base coach, but maybe a bench coach role elsewhere, maybe a heading coach role in a certain area, maybe a just a more impactful coach in a different organization. He’s going along to seek that and that’s why he’s not returning the Mets more than likely. So that is my one qual when it comes to the Mets coaching decisions at this point is that you did not allow the one man who was a resounding yes to every fan their mother to see return for the upcoming season. He’s now not returning because of things that are supposedly out of the Mets control which is very frustrating. I’m wishing Antoine the best in his future. But at the same time he wants nothing to do with the organization. Thanks for all the tricks and tips. I hope that we saved all of them that we could. Now kick rock. See you buddy. Wishing you the best elsewhere. only kind of because I’m upset that you’re leaving us truthfully and stubbornly. But going on from that coaching hire, let’s get on to the next one, everybody, because I think you guys are going to be really intrigued. But honestly, I don’t know how you’re going to feel about this one. That’s why we’re going to break it down right here, right now, everybody, because take a look at this. Mike Puma says, “Mets are hiring, let’s see here, Rachel Fulen to serve as the hitting coach at DoubleA Bington. She was a hitting coach in the Cubs minor league system this season.” Now, this is interesting everybody because one, I absolutely am all for the diverse hires, especially when they’re justified in the case of Rachel Fulen here as someone who’s been established in baseball for quite some time. A former fantastic softball player of her own self. So, this wasn’t just someone who kind of came out of nowhere. No, she’s absolutely deserving to be here. I’m very excited to see her and the Mets organization, but she has gotten raving reviews to the point that many believe that she will be impacting the New York Mets at the major league level sooner rather than later. And here’s some awesome quotes they have in regards to highlighting Rachel and how the Cubs organization felt about her during her time there the past year plus. Listen to the following everybody. And I quote, “I really enjoy uh coaches who when they say something, it’s impactful.” Craig Council said, “In my experience, her observations, speaking obviously on Rachel Fulen, have been very impactful. I think for hitters, that means her cues can be very impactful. Her observations have been very accurate. She’s displayed an e and pardon me, an excellent ability to evaluate players. That’s exciting to see.” Pete Armstrong raved about Fulton’s ability to help him with the mental side of the game, too. P. Armstrong. Yes, that same PCA raving about the Mets new heading coach hire for double A that’ll work herself up. And I quote, “I think she’s really good for development. I really do.” PCA said, “She’s been a nice shoulder for me to kind of lean on when stuff wasn’t really going my way.” That’s awesome to hear. And the Mets have obviously been cultivating more of their hitting lab that we’ve seen in the minor leagues over the past couple of years. But they hit major strides this past year, mainly with guys like Jacob Rhymer and AJ Ewing. Going from otherwise no-name prospects to major name, top five to top 10 prospects, all thanks to the great heading adjustments that they made this year. And AJ Ewing is also speed demon. He casually stole 70 plus stolen bags this year. I cannot wait to see more of him next season in the minor leagues. He’s going to be a lot of fun to watch. But point stands, the Mets are continuing to try to have that forward way of thinking with their hitting philosophy as well. Something that they’ve been behind on in the minor leagues in years prior up until Steve Con has now become owner. And it appears that Rachel is looking like a prime position hired to set themselves up in the right direction. So I’m really excited about that. Elizabeth Ben, who’s obviously been a part of the Mets organization as well. She’s been an analyst on SNY. she was drooling over this hire for the New York Mets and say that there are very few that are more I think established and are more fitting for this type of role and she amplified do not be surprised when you see Rachel move up to the major league level sooner rather than later. It feels like that this is going to be a skyrocket of a development for her as long as she stays in the organization as long as everything goes smoothly here with the New York Mets. But the Mets being active, David Sterns doing what he needs to do to better this club for next season. We know that coaches can mean one thing, player talent and execution is another. A lot needs to be had this offseason for this Mets team to not only instill confidence in us fans, but ultimately to have us instilled confidence in one David Sterns who has a lot of repairing to do with the trust after everything imaginable went wrong here in 2025. But Mets fans, I want to hear from each and every one of you in the comments down below. What is your thoughts on Justin Willard, the guru there from the Red Sox coming in from their director of pitching to now being the official pitching coach for the New York Mets? I definitely want to hear from you guys your thoughts about exactly that. and ultimately not only Willard on how he impacts the major league level but on how he’s going to be able to impact those younger guys because as I mentioned with guys like Tuli early um Dobbins among others he really had a great helping hand there you know and the fact that a lot of these starters mind he reached 30 plus starts in the minor leagues you know leading to their call-ups is significant because that is where Willard yet again had all his hands on the good which was the success so hopefully we see more of that this time with the New York Mets and their young pitchers and for the veterans that are here. Hopefully he he brings newfound information. I like the Monopoly quote as well to kind of see how yes, baseball is played one way, but we don’t play it that way anymore. We play in a multitude of ways. And I’m going to break it down to you in real time how we’re going to be going about our philosophy together. I’m excited to see what the future holds. Cautiously optimistic as I always am until this team starts to succeed consistently. Something that I really have yet to see as a Mets fan since covering Steve Cohen’s very first move and onward here on YouTube. And that was a Trevor May signing in December of 2020. Feels like yesterday. May’s been on the platform as a as a friend since. Wishing him well. But that’s all I got for you guys. Thank you guys so much for watching. Let me know all your thoughts and comments down below about the Mets latest hires. Maybe what do you anticipate that they do next when looking at the third base coach, when looking at the bullpen coach, and when looking at the other areas of need for this coaching staff before we get on to the player personnel stuff. Until then, everybody, have a fantastic rest of your night whenever you’re watching this. And as always, no matter what, let’s go Mets. Peace out, folks.

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