Mets to name Pat Roessler assistant hitting coach

UPDATE, November 20:
The Mets will name Pat Roessler their assistant hitting coach.
Roessler, who recently worked for the Yankees as their director of player development, will work under new hitting coach Kevin Long.
November 12:
The Mets hope to fill their vacant assistant hitting coach position by next week, Sandy Alderson told reporters on Wednesday.
After acknowledging that the Mets had interviewed former Yankees director of player development Pat Roessler for the position, Alderson said that Roessler would very likely be the only external candidate the club looks at.
While describing the assistant hitting coach position as “hitting coach plus,” Alderson noted that it would be beneficial if the new hire has a good relationship with new hitting coach Kevin Long. Roessler, of course, would meet that requirement.
As far as internal candidates the club might interview, Adam Rubin of ESPN New York speculates that minor-league infield coordinator Kevin Morgan, catching coordinator Bobby Natal, and outfield/baserunning coordinator Jack Voigt could be on the list.
The position of assistant hitting coach was left vacant last season after Luis Natera was fired along with hitting coach Dave Hudgens in May.
Thoughts:
If the hitting coach is viewed by most as a non-crucial position, his assistant is viewed as an even less critical cog.
Still, Alderson noted that the assistant hitting coach would be a “hitting coach plus,” meaning that he’ll have other duties in addition to helping hitters out with their mechanics and approach.
What those duties will be remains to be seen.