According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the New York Mets and first base coach Antoan Richardson have not come to terms on a new contract, and the well-respected coach is expected to depart the organization when his current deal expires.

Richardson, who joined the Mets coaching staff prior to the 2024 season, quickly earned praise for his work with the team’s baserunning and infield fundamentals. His energetic approach and attention to detail helped improve the club’s overall aggressiveness and awareness on the basepaths — areas that had been lacking in prior years.

A Key Development Mentor

Before joining the Mets, Richardson served on the San Francisco Giants’ coaching staff under Gabe Kapler, where he was known for his leadership and communication skills. With the Mets, he brought a similar impact, particularly with younger players and role guys trying to maximize every edge in their game.

Several Mets insiders credited Richardson with helping Francisco Lindor, Starling Marte, and Jeff McNeil refine their baserunning reads, leading to smarter and more efficient base stealing in 2025. Even in a transitional season, the Mets saw an uptick in stolen base percentage and overall aggressiveness — a testament to his coaching influence.

Why the Departure Matters

While first base coach isn’t typically a headline-grabbing position, Richardson’s exit creates another opening in a Mets staff that’s already seeing turnover this offseason. With Carlos Mendoza entering his second year as manager, maintaining staff continuity was viewed as important.

Richardson’s departure could also impact the team’s chemistry — he was known as a player’s coach, someone who blended analytics with in-game instincts, helping bridge communication between the clubhouse and coaching offices.

What’s Next for Richardson — and the Mets

Passan notes that Richardson will seek another opportunity elsewhere once his Mets contract officially expires. Given his strong reputation and success with base running instruction, he’s unlikely to remain unemployed for long.

For the Mets, this opens another key decision point for the front office as they continue reshaping their coaching infrastructure alongside new hires like Troy Snitker, who recently joined as the team’s hitting coach.

Final Thoughts

While the loss of a first base coach might not make headlines across baseball, it’s a meaningful one inside Citi Field. Antoan Richardson’s professionalism, energy, and teaching ability left an impression on both players and staff. His next team will be getting a respected baseball mind — and the Mets will need to find someone capable of maintaining that same high standard on the basepaths.