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.

2) Lourdes Gurriel Jr.

Fresh from an appearance in the World Series, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. was a rookie on the 2018 Blue Jays under Gibbons. He, too, showed positive signs that year. He has only gotten better. In fact, one could say getting traded away by the Blue Jays to the Arizona Diamondbacks was the best thing for his career.

Gurriel hit a career-high 35 doubles, 24 home runs, and drove in 82 for the National League Champions. He has turned into a much better defensive player albeit he did still start 50 games for the Diamondbacks as the DH.

How he fits with the Mets works if paired with a player like Hernandez. Gurriel is your main left field option. Hernandez is your backup in either corner spot.

Perhaps because he hasn’t hit for a ton of power in his career, Gurriel seems to have hardly registered on the radar of Mets fans. In fairness to those who’ve ignored him, he has been unpredictable. He hit only 5 home runs in his final year with Toronto while slashing .291/.343/.400. This past season, with a huge uptick in power, Gurriel slashed .261/.309/.463.

What version would the Mets get?

Finally, the Mets can round out their roster with one more bat Gibbons is vaguely familiar with.