METS ANNOUNCE CHANGES TO COACHING STAFF

FLUSHING, N.Y., October 2, 2014 – The New York Mets today announced that hitting coach Lamar Johnson and assistant hitting coach Luis Natera will not return to their positions in 2015. Johnson and Natera have been offered positions within the minor league system.

“We appreciate the hard work of Lamar and Luis this year at the Major League level,” said Mets General Manager Sandy Alderson. “We hope they will continue to be part of the Mets organization in the future.”

Natera was named to the newly created position of assistant hitting coach on March 24. Johnson took over for Dave Hudgens, who was fired on May 26.

And also in news from the Mets….

MIKE BARWIS TO OVERSEE METS STRENGTH & CONDITIONING PROGRAMS

The New York Mets today announced that Mike Barwis, a strength and conditioning consultant to the Mets since 2011, has been appointed to oversee all Major League and Minor League strength and conditioning for the Mets organization. Barwis, known for his “Barwis Methods” performance training programs for professional and amateur athletes, will remain a consultant, but will now be directly involved in the hiring and supervision of all Mets strength and conditioning coaches and will be responsible for implementing a system-wide performance training program.

In connection with this appointment, Jim Malone, the Mets Major League strength and conditioning coach for the last two years, will leave the organization to pursue other professional opportunities.

“Jim Malone did an excellent job for us over the last two seasons, and we wish him well,” said Mets General Manager Sandy Alderson. “Mike Barwis and his organization offer the Mets an inclusive in-season and off-season approach to performance training, which we think will accelerate the development of our players at all levels.”

Maybe instead of moving in the fences they can make some of the players strong enough to hit a ball out of Citi Field.- Goon