1 offseason target each newly hired NY Mets coach might want to reunite with

Jeff Albert - Brendan Donovan

It’s Paul Goldschmidt whose 2022 MVP has been, at least partly, credited to working alongside Jeff Albert. The newly promoted hitting coach of the Mets will have a difficult time pitching a reunion with Goldschmidt whose 2025 season with the New York Yankees began well then cratered.

Although feeling unrealistic, a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals for Brendan Donovan would be a nice grab for the Mets this offseason. Albert only knows him from the 2022 season where he finished third in the Rookie of the Year vote while also earning a Gold Glove as a utility player.

Donovan would be someone who’d be able to fill in a Jeff McNeil gap if the Mets are able to deal him away. Another tall order in order to make this reunion happen, the greater benefit of Donovan is his third base success defensively. Although appearing there sporadically, his 6 defensive runs saved at the position is his best of any. He hasn’t been a supremely good outfielder and even his second base metrics have rated poorly in several seasons.

Still, his .282/.361/.411 slash line is far too good to completely dismiss. The Mets would be getting a different flavor of what McNeil has offered them with Donovan. This one, at a more affordable hit to the payroll and with more years of control, is an upgrade we’d welcome but don’t plan on seeing.

The next, however, feels more possible because all it will cost is cash. Lots and lots of it.