According to multiple reports, the Mets are circling Justin Willard as their new pitching coach. Willard, 35, who was most recently the director of pitching for the Red Sox last two seasons, also coached and coordinated for the Twins from 2017-2023. If hired, Willard will join new arrivals Kai Correa (bench coach), Jeff Albert (director of hitting), and Troy Snitker (hitting coach) on manager Carlos Mendoza’s on-field staff.

Willard was quoted by MLB.com describing his approach early last year:

“Really simple: Throw nasty stuff in the zone. You can have nasty stuff, but it’s not gonna be maximized if you’re not in the zone. And then vice versa. If you’re in the zone and you’re getting hit, we’ve got to develop better stuff. And I think most importantly, defining that for players and defi

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