Carlos Beltran will be formally introduced Monday as the new Mets manager, filling the team’s most significant opening on the staff, but other key components remain in question.
At the top of that list is a bench coach who can help Beltran navigate through his first season in a field-staff position, but there also could be openings at hitting coach and pitching coach.
The 42-year-old Beltran, who spent last season as a Yankees special assistant, is expected to have input in the reshaping of the staff, and sources said Terry Collins’ name has at least been discussed for the bench-coach opening — Jim Riggleman was informed after the season that his contract wouldn’t be renewed — but the team could also look elsewhere.
Former managers such as John Gibbons, Clint Hurdle and Brad Ausmus could be of interest to the Mets. Or the team could dip into its pool of managerial candidates and consider Mike Bell or Skip Schumaker for the position. Internally, team officials are high on quality-control coach Luis Rojas and Triple-A manager Tony DeFrancesco, both of whom have extensive managerial experience at the minor league level, but pairing either one as bench coach with the novice Beltran might be a risk. DeFrancesco served as Astros interim manager for the final 41 games in 2012.
“A bench coach was important for me after 20 years of managing, so I think it’s important the first year,” former Mets manager Bobby Valentine told The Post on Saturday. “But if the manager has to be the general manager’s guy, I think the bench coach has to be the manager’s guy. Then maybe the players get the message in stereo.
“I think what the young managers need to do is eliminate as much confusion about their M.O. as possible, because after a while everybody knows why you do what you do. But at the beginning, everybody is questioning why you do what you do, so the idea of eliminating some of the doubt is important, and that is the job of his disciples and the head coach should be the leader of the disciples.”
In 2011, his first season as Mets manager, Collins developed a tight bond with Beltran, in the four months before the All-Star outfielder was traded to the Giants. A source indicated Collins is open to considering the bench coach job because of that relationship.
Beltran, general manager Brodie Van Wagenen, assistant GM Allard Baird and special assistant Omar Minaya are all expected to have input in the composition of the staff.
Chili Davis earned strong reviews from team officials for his work with the young hitters last season, but the veteran hitting coach became a free agent Friday and is seeking a multi-year contract to return, according to an industry source. Davis, who is said to be among the game’s highest-earning hitting coaches, is getting paid by the Cubs (who fired him last offseason) through 2020.
Phil Regan remains a possibility to return at pitching coach after taking the job on an interim basis following Dave Eiland’s firing. But the Mets have also been linked to University of Michigan pitching coach Chris Fetter. Bullpen coach Ricky Bones could also be a candidate for the pitching-coach position if the 82-year-old Regan doesn’t return.
Gary DiSarcina, who last season moved from bench coach to third base coach, is likely to return, according to an industry source, but it’s unclear with what title. DiSarcina also serves as the infield coach and was instrumental in Amed Rosario’s improvement as the season progressed. First base coach and catching instructor Glenn Sherlock was given permission last month to seek other jobs and is unlikely to return.
On another front, advance scout and replay coordinator Mike Wickham was informed Thursday that his contract wouldn’t be renewed. Wickham was told of the decision only hours before his contract was set to expire — it’s common courtesy within the game to give employees advance notice so they can get a head start on finding another job. Wickham was hired by Van Wagenen last January, but sources indicated the Mets want to get more “creative” with the position, perhaps giving responsibilities to a member of the coaching staff. Wickham was responsible for scouting upcoming opponents on video and instant replay.