3 former Blue Jays who could reunite with Mets bench coach John Gibbons

John Gibbons will be the bench coach for the New York Mets this coming year. Most known for his time as the skipper for the Toronto Blue Jays in two different stints, he’ll aid Carlos Mendoza as his right-hand man in the decision-making process during games.

The Mets have actively filled vacancies in the front office and coaching staff. It’s the players they will be turning toward next. Coincidentally enough, there are three free agents out there who make a lot of sense for the Mets right now who have a Gibbons connection. All three were members of the 2018 Blue Jays when Gibbons last managed.

David Stearns has no business targeting players just because the bench coach managed them before. Nevertheless, all three are logical choices for the Mets to go out and get.

1) Teoscar Hernandez

Gibbons got a first-hand look at a young Teoscar Hernandez. Acquired by the Blue Jays in 2017, he had his breakout year for them in 2018. Hernandez hit 22 home runs and drove in 57 as he slowly began to become an important cog in the lineup.

Hernandez would, of course, stick around for the Blue Jays beyond Gibbons’ final year managing them. He has continued to impress on the field. With several shortcomings including a career-high 211 strikeouts last year plus an unimpressive lifetime .316 OBP, it’s easy to see why the Mets could look elsewhere entirely.

The fit for Hernandez on the Mets roster would have him playing some corner outfield (let’s not rule out Starling Marte moving to left field) and getting a whole lot of at-bats as the DH.

As badly as he struggled at times last year for the Seattle Mariners, Hernandez did play in 160 games and did it with 26 home runs and 93 RBI. He’d be an especially good addition if paired with this other ex-Blue Jays player.