The Mets are scheduled to meet with Kevin Long on Wednesday as the organization starts the formal interview process to fill its vacant hitting coach position, according to an industry source.
Long, who was fired this month by the Yankees, was first contacted by Mets general manager Sandy Alderson last week. The Mets also have expressed interest in Rangers hitting coach Dave Magadan, who has received permission to speak with other teams amid a managerial change in Texas.
A source recently indicated the Mets are working from a short list that contains no more than three-to-four names. Long appeals to the Mets partly because of his tight working relationship with Curtis Granderson from their days together with the Yankees.
The Mets’ competition for Long has thinned in recent days, after the Red Sox hired Chili Davis and the Diamondbacks named Turner Ward their new hitting coach.
In 2014, the Mets dumped two hitting coaches. Dave Hudgens — who was hired last week as the Astros’ new hitting coach — got fired by the Mets on May 26. His replacement, Lamar Johnson, was reassigned within the organization at the conclusion of the season.
Magadan, who played for the Mets, interviewed with the Yankees for their vacant hitting coach position, but was recently informed he is not a candidate for the job. Magadan’s name has surfaced as a potential candidate for Oakland’s vacancy.
Last month there was some thought Bobby Abreu might be a serious candidate for the Mets’ job, but the retired outfielder has indicated he would prefer to pursue business opportunities in his native Venezuela. The Mets also have reservations about giving the job to somebody who lacks coaching experience.
Edgardo Alfonzo has told intermediaries he is interested in the job, but the former Mets infielder only began coaching this year, at Class-A Brooklyn.
It is unclear if Alfonzo might be considered for the Mets’ vacant assistant hitting coach position.