BREAKING: Atlanta Coaching Shake-up Sparks Drama as Kranitz, Gonzalez & Goodwin Eased Out; Two Ex-Mets Hired to Staff.vc
The Braves’ offseason just exploded: Pitching coach Rick Kranitz, third base coach Fredi Gonzalez, and first base coach Tom Goodwin were unceremoniously notified they won’t return, paving the way for two former Mets staffers to take over.
ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves’ new managerial era under Walt Weiss has begun with a significant staff overhaul.
The organization announced a major coaching shake-up on Wednesday, confirming that pitching coach Rick Kranitz, first base coach Tom Goodwin, and third base coach Fredi Gonzalez have all been informed they will not be returning to the dugout for the 2026 season.
The unceremonious ousting of the three veteran coaches, all of whom were informed of the decision on Monday, clears the way for a new “node of control” in the clubhouse. The Braves immediately announced the hiring of two former New York Mets staffers to fill the key vacancies:
- Jeremy Hefner (Pitching Coach)
- Antoan Richardson (First Base Coach)
Braves Poach from Division Rival
The decision to poach two highly-regarded coaches from their NL East rival, the New York Mets, has sent shockwaves through the league.
Jeremy Hefner, 39, takes over for Kranitz after spending the previous six seasons as the Mets’ pitching coach. During his tenure, Hefner was well-regarded, and his pitching staffs posted the sixth-best ERA (4.02) in the National League.
Antoan Richardson, 42, joins the Braves after two seasons with the Mets, where he served as first base coach, outfield coordinator, and baserunning instructor. His impact on the Mets’ running game was dramatic, as the team led all of MLB in stolen base percentage (89.1%) in 2025.
End of an Era
The departures mark the end of a long and, at times, successful run for the departing coaches.
Rick Kranitz, 67, had been with the Braves since 2019, overseeing the pitching staff through its 2021 World Series run and the development of multiple All-Stars.
Fredi Gonzalez, a former Braves manager (2011-16), had his second stint with the club cut short. Tom Goodwin, 57, departs after two seasons as the first base coach.
The Braves have not yet named a new third base coach or a bench coach to fill the spot vacated by Walt Weiss’s promotion, with the team stating the balance of the staff will be announced at a later date.
