WASHINGTON — Lamar Johnson became the second Mets hitting coach to take the fall for the team’s subpar offensive performance in 2014.
The Mets made official Thursday a move that had been anticipated for weeks by dumping Johnson and assistant hitting coach Luis Natera. Both have been offered positions within the minor league system.
Potential candidates to replace Johnson include Bobby Abreu, Edgardo Alfonzo and Triple-A hitting coach George Greer.
According to a source, the popular Alfonzo — who rejoined the organization in 2014 as a coach for Single-A Brooklyn — would be extremely interested in discussing the hitting coach position with team officials.
Johnson was promoted from minor league hitting coordinator after Dave Hudgens was fired as hitting coach on May 26, but the Mets were virtually the same team offensively after the switch. The Mets had a .237/.309/.352 slash line under Hudgens and a .238/.308/.370 line with Johnson as hitting coach.
The Mets averaged 3.88 runs, which ranked eighth in the National League.
In another move, the Mets announced the hiring of Mike Barwis to oversee the strength and conditioning programs. Barwis will replace Jim Malone, who is leaving the organization.
Jenrry Mejia underwent successful surgery for a sports hernia and Travis d’Arnaud had a bone spur removed from his right elbow. Both are expected to be ready for the start of spring training.