NEW YORK -- First-base coach Antoan Richardson’s departure from the Mets organization was not due to a lack of desire to return to Queens, Richardson said Wednesday, but because of “different thoughts on my value.”

Richardson, whom the Braves hired to be their first-base coach in a lateral move that the team announced Wednesday, negotiated with the Mets on a return. But the two sides could not agree on his compensation. During the process, Richardson spoke with various clubs about first-base coach and bench coach opportunities, before landing with the Braves.

“During the negotiation process, we weren’t fully aligned on how we viewed my value,” Richardson said in a statement. “I have great respect for their process and the conversations we had.”

Reached by telephone on Wednesday, Richa

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