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Mets hire longtime MLB catcher A.J. Ellis as staff shakeup continues
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- Mets hire longtime MLB catcher A.J. Ellis as staff shakeup continues
AJ Ellis
The Mets are hiring A.J. Ellis as the team's strategy coordinator, a source confirmed to The Post's Mike Puma.
Ellis, who played in the majors for 11 seasons, had been a special assistant in San Diego's front office since 2019.
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The former catcher is expected to contribute to the team's pitching program, both in game-planning and pitch-calling.
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Ellis played for Mets manager Andy Green in 2018 with the Padres and also played for the Dodgers, Marlins and Phillies.
During his playing career, Ellis excelled at pitch-calling and while in Los Angeles, gained the trust of Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw.
The Mets made a change to their pitching program a year ago, when they let Jeremy Hefner go — he wound up in Atlanta — and brought in Justin Willard from the Red Sox as the new pitching coach.
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That was part of a significant coaching overhaul that backfired, at least in part, as the change in the staff, as well as in the roster, resulted in one of the most disappointing seasons in franchise history.
Catcher A.J. Ellis #17 of the Dodgers throws to first after fielding a bunt by Irving Falu of the San Diego Padres in the sixth inning at Dodger Stadium on July 12, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. Getty Images
That led to Carlos Mendoza getting fired in May after a historically poor start to the season.
He was replaced on an interim basis by Green, who was in the Mets front office.
Mets manager Andy Green speaks to the media at Citi Field in Queens, New York, on Sunday, June 28, 2026. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST
The Mets played better under Green, who received a three-year extension.
After the season, the Mets also let go of director of major league hitting Jeff Albert. They have since also promoted Mariano Duncan to the major league staff.
