Triple-A Syracuse manager Tony DeFrancesco reportedly could be joining the coaching staff for the New York Mets.
As the offseason rolls on, the New York Mets have hired numerous individuals to fill coaching positions under Carlos Beltran‘s regime.
Per reports, they could be filling another spot by promoting one of their minor league managers.
According to Andy Martino of SNY, the Mets could be bringing Tony DeFrancesco onto the staff. It’s unclear what exact role he’d be taking on, but possibly the first-base coach. DeFrancesco is currently the manager of Triple-A Syracuse.
Triple-A manager Tony DeFrancesco, who is well-liked and interviewed for Mets manager, is a possibility for Carlos Beltran's coaching staff. Has been discussed as 1B coach. Could be a fit there.
— Andy Martino (@martinonyc) December 2, 2019
If DeFrancesco came on as the team’s first-base coach, he would be replacing Glenn Sherlock at that spot. Sherlock has held that role for the Mets since the 2017 campaign.
DeFrancesco previously interviewed to be the Mets manager prior to the hire of Beltran. The minor-league skipper was originally hired to manage the Mets’ Triple-A ballclub in 2018 when they were located in Las Vegas. They relocated to Syracuse after that season, with DeFrancesco having been retained as the manager.
The only major-league managing experience DeFrancesco has under his belt was when he became the interim skipper for the Houston Astros in 2012. This was after the ballclub parted ways with then-manager Brad Mills. DeFrancesco managed Houston from August until the end of that season, as the team went 16-25 with him as the lead man in the dugout.
Regardless of where DeFrancesco ends up next year, the Mets have a tough task on their hands. They’ll be attempting to build off their 86-76 finish from last season and clinch their first playoff berth since 2016.