The defensive transformation of the Mets began nearly as soon as the 2025 season ended. One of the club’s first big moves toward better run prevention in 2025 was to hire Kai Correa as Carlos Mendoza’s bench coach, a 37-year-old described as a “defensive mastermind” throughout baseball circles.

A native of Hilo, Hawaii, Correa comes to the Mets after two seasons with the Cleveland Guardians. Prior to that, Correa held his first bench coach role with the San Francisco Giants under manager Gabe Kapler. Correa’s role with Cleveland was extensive, as is evidenced by his full title with the Guardians — field coordinator/director of defense, baserunning and game strategy — showing just how much he impacted the team.

“Kai comes to us is really one of the best defensive coaching minds in the g

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