Another name has emerged for the Mets' bench coach job, with Joey Cora viewed as a "strong candidate" to get it, reports Jon Heyman.

The 54-year-old Cora -- the older brother of Red Sox manager Alex Cora -- has been a coach for the Pirates since 2017, and served as their third base coach this past season.

Cora has also coached in the majors for the Marlins (2012) and White Sox (2004 to 2011), and has minor league managerial experience in the Mets and Pirates systems.

Cora interviewed earlier this offseason for the Pirates' managerial job that has not yet been filled.

Aside from Cora, Ron Wotus, Jerry Narron and Fredi Gonzalez are known candidates for the Mets' bench coach job.

Terry Collins was the preference of new manager Carlos Beltran to be his bench coach, but the Mets will be going in a different direction -- with Collins staying on as a special adviser to GM Brodie Van Wagenen.

The Mets' bench coach job will be extra important this season, as whoever gets the gig will be the right-hand man for Beltran as he learns the ins and outs of managing.

Aside from bench coach, the Mets are conducting a search for pitching coach that has included University of Michigan coach Chris Fetter, former Mets pitcher/current Twins coach Jeremy Hefner, and former big league reliever and Queens native Steve Karsay.

Van Wagenen said last Tuesday that no announcements will be made regarding coaching staff positions until the entire staff is filled.

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