The Philadelphia Phillies could soon see former hitting coach Kevin Long land with a division rival after the New York Mets scheduled an interview with the experienced coach.

According to the New York Post, Long was set to speak with Mets officials on Tuesday, October 20, about a potential position on New York’s coaching staff. The interview comes less than a week after Philadelphia decided to part ways with Long following five seasons with the organization.

For Phillies fans, the development adds another layer to an offseason already filled with questions about the team’s offensive direction. Long was part of Philadelphia’s run to the 2022 World Series, but the club’s offensive decline in 2026 helped prompt a change in coaching leadership.

Now, the Mets could give him an opportunity to return to familiar territory.

The potential reunion raises an interesting question: Could a coach Philadelphia decided it could do without become a valuable addition for one of its National League East rivals?

METS TURN TO A FAMILIAR FACE IN KEVIN LONG

Long is no stranger to New York. He served as the Mets’ hitting coach from 2015 through 2017, a period that included the team’s run to the World Series in 2015.

His previous experience with the organization could make him an attractive candidate as the Mets reshape their major-league hitting department.

New York recently moved on from director of major-league hitting Jeff Albert after just one season, creating an opening within its offensive coaching structure. The Mets retained hitting coach Troy Snitker and assistant hitting coach Rafael Fernandez, meaning Long’s potential role may involve a broader leadership position rather than simply replacing the existing hitting coach.

That distinction matters.

If the Mets hire Long, they would need to determine how his responsibilities fit alongside the coaches already on staff. The goal would be to improve the team’s offensive approach without creating unnecessary confusion over who directs hitting strategy.

Long’s previous experience in New York gives him familiarity with the organization, but a return would still require the right role and expectations.

WHY THE PHILLIES PARTED WAYS WITH LONG

Long’s departure from Philadelphia followed a disappointing offensive season.

The Phillies ranked 22nd in MLB in OPS in 2026, finishing with a .707 mark, according to the New York Post. The team’s struggles represented a significant decline after several productive seasons under Long.

Long joined Philadelphia ahead of the 2022 season and helped oversee an offense that played a major role in the club’s World Series run that year.

The Phillies also produced strong offensive numbers during much of his tenure. However, the 2026 season brought a different result, with the lineup struggling to deliver consistent production.

Philadelphia’s decision reflects the pressure that comes with competing for a championship. When an established roster underperforms, the front office must determine whether the problem lies in personnel, coaching, player execution or some combination of those factors.

Changing the hitting coach does not guarantee an immediate improvement. Players must still execute, and the organization must make sure its roster has the right balance of skills.

Nevertheless, the Phillies clearly decided that a change in offensive leadership was necessary as they prepare for 2027.

COULD THE METS BENEFIT FROM LONG’S EXPERIENCE?

Long brings a lengthy coaching résumé to the Mets’ search.

Before joining Philadelphia, he worked with the New York Yankees, Mets and Washington Nationals. His coaching career includes World Series championships with the Yankees in 2009 and the Nationals in 2019, while his Mets tenure included their 2015 National League pennant.

That experience could be useful for a Mets team looking to strengthen its offensive development and establish a clearer approach at the plate.

Experienced coaches can help hitters identify weaknesses, adjust their mechanics and improve their decision-making. But coaching success depends on more than reputation. A coach must also understand the players available, communicate effectively and work within the organization’s broader development philosophy.

The Mets would need to determine whether Long’s methods align with their current personnel and the direction of their coaching staff.

His past success makes him a credible candidate, but it does not guarantee that a second stint in New York would produce the same results.

JUAN SOTO CONNECTION COULD ADD ANOTHER DIMENSION

One potential advantage for the Mets is Long’s previous relationship with star outfielder Juan Soto.

Long worked with Soto during their time together in Washington, where the Nationals won the World Series in 2019. The relationship is one reason a reunion in New York has attracted attention.

Familiarity between a coach and a player can help communication, particularly when discussing adjustments and approaches at the plate.

However, the connection should not be overstated. Soto is an established star with his own preparation routines and hitting philosophy. Any potential benefit would depend on how Long and the Mets’ other coaches work with him and the rest of the lineup.

For New York, the bigger objective would be improving the offensive group as a whole rather than relying on one relationship to solve every problem.

PHILLIES FANS MAY QUESTION THE DECISION IF LONG SUCCEEDS IN NEW YORK

The most uncomfortable scenario for Philadelphia would be watching Long contribute to an offensive improvement in Queens after the Phillies decided to move on.

That possibility does not necessarily mean the Phillies made the wrong decision.

Coaching changes are often based on a combination of results, internal evaluations and the organization’s preferred direction. A coach can be a good fit in one situation and less effective in another.

The Phillies’ decision followed an offensive decline that the organization could not ignore. Their priority now must be finding a replacement who can help the lineup return to consistent production.

Still, if Long joins the Mets and their hitters improve significantly, Philadelphia supporters will naturally revisit the decision.

That is part of the risk of changing coaching staffs in a competitive division. The same coach who leaves one organization can become an asset for a rival.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR THE NL EAST RIVALRY

If the Mets bring Long aboard, the move would add another storyline to the rivalry between Philadelphia and New York.

Both organizations have postseason ambitions, and offensive consistency can make a major difference over a long season. A coaching change will not automatically transform the Mets, but it could influence how they approach player development and hitting strategy.

For the Phillies, the challenge is to ensure their own coaching transition produces meaningful progress.

Philadelphia cannot control whom the Mets hire. It can control the quality of its replacement search, its roster decisions and the way it addresses the offensive problems exposed in 2026.

The division is unlikely to be decided by one coaching appointment alone. Player health, pitching, roster depth and performance under pressure will all matter.

However, the possibility of Long joining New York gives Phillies fans another reason to pay attention to the Mets’ offseason moves.

WHO SHOULD THE PHILLIES HIRE AS THEIR NEXT HITTING COACH?

With Long no longer part of the staff, Philadelphia must identify a new voice for its major-league hitters.

The next hire should be judged on more than name recognition or past championships. The Phillies need someone capable of diagnosing why the offense declined and developing a plan that fits the roster.

That process should include examining swing decisions, contact quality, plate discipline and the way hitters respond to different pitching approaches.

The coaching staff must also work closely with the front office to ensure that player acquisitions complement the offensive philosophy being introduced.

Philadelphia has established hitters capable of producing at a high level. The challenge is helping the lineup perform consistently across an entire season, including when opponents adjust and injuries affect the roster.

A successful hire will need to combine technical expertise with communication skills and a willingness to adapt.

FINAL VERDICT: A NEW CHAPTER FOR LONG AND THE PHILLIES

Kevin Long’s scheduled interview with the Mets represents a potential new opportunity for a coach who already knows the organization.

His previous stint in New York, his experience with championship teams and his relationship with Juan Soto make the possibility of a reunion particularly interesting. However, the Mets have not confirmed a hiring decision, and the exact role under consideration remains uncertain.

For Philadelphia, the focus must now shift toward finding the right replacement and correcting the offensive issues that contributed to the disappointing 2026 season.

If Long succeeds in New York, Phillies fans may wonder whether the organization should have given him another opportunity. If the Mets’ offense continues to struggle, the move may attract far less attention.

Either way, the Phillies cannot afford to let the uncertainty surrounding their former coach distract them from the work ahead.

Long’s next chapter could unfold in Queens, but Philadelphia’s biggest challenge is making sure its own offensive reset delivers better results in 2027.