Mets hire longtime MLB catcher A.J. Ellis as staff shakeup continues

The Mets are hiring A.J.Ellis as the team’s strategy coordinator, a source confirmed to The Post’s Mike Puma.Ellis, who played in the majors for 11 seasons, has been a special assistant in San Diego’s front office since 2019.

Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mike Puma about the inside buzz on the Mets.The former catcher is expected to contribute to the team’s pitching program, both in gameplanning and pitch-calling.Ellis played for Mets manager Andy Green in 2018 with the Padres and also played for the Dodgers, Marlins and Phillies.During his playing career, Ellis excelled at pitch-calling and while in Los Angeles, gained the trust of Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw.The Mets made a change to their pitching program a year ago, when they let Jeremy Hefner go — he wound up in Atlanta — and brought in Justin Willard from the Red Sox as the new pitching coach.That was part of a significant coaching overhaul which backfired, at least in part, as the change in the staff, as well as in the roster, resulted in one of the most disappointing seasons in franchise history.That led to manager Carlos Mendoza getting fired in May after a historically poor start to the season.

He was replaced on an interim basis by Green, who was in the Mets’ front office.The Mets played better under Green, who received a three-year extension.After this past season, the Mets also let go of director of major league hitting, Jeff Albert.They have since also promoted Mariano Duncan to the major league staff....