The Mets will still have plenty of former general managers surrounding the new one.

On Wednesday, the club announced the hiring of former Royals GM Allard Baird as vice president, assistant general manager, scouting and player development. Baird spent the last 13 seasons in the Red Sox’s front office, where he helped construct three World Series winning teams.

The 57-year-old Baird joins top adviser Omar Minaya, special assistant Ruben Amaro Jr. and assistant GM John Ricco among Brodie Van Wagenen’s lieutenants who have served as a GM. Baird was Royals GM from 2000-06. In his new role, Baird essentially replaces J.P. Ricciardi, who recently departed the organization.

“I am thrilled to join the Mets and am ready for this opportunity to help build the Mets into perennial contenders,” Baird said in a statement. “A key ingredient that drew me to this role was Brodie’s leadership and vision.”

Baird is Van Wagenen’s second front-office hire — earlier this week Adam Guttridge was added as assistant general manager of systematic development.

“We are excited to continue to bolster our front office with senior leadership,” Van Wagenen said. “Allard has a championship résumé and played a key role in helping the Red Sox win three World Series titles. He will be a great resource to myself and our entire baseball operations department.”

Ricco, who took the lead as part of the triumvirate that ran the Mets following Sandy Alderson’s medical leave of absence last summer, may still depart the organization, according to sources.

Minaya served as Mets GM from 2005-10 and Amaro was Phillies GM from 2009-15. Amaro was transferred to the Mets front office after serving as the team’s first-base coach last season.

Chili Davis has emerged as the front-runner to become the Mets’ next hitting coach, according to sources. The 58-year-old Davis was recently fired by the Cubs, who pointed to his inability to connect with “millennial” players. Davis served as Oakland’s hitting coach during Yoenis Cespedes’ tenure with the team and has a solid working relationship with the All-Star slugger, who is expected to miss at least the first two months of next season rehabbing from surgery on both heels.

The Mets have also interviewed Dave Magadan and Rudy Jaramillo for hitting coach. Pat Roessler was fired from the position this month, but assistant hitting coach Tom Slater will return in the same role.

The Mets will hold their annual holiday party on Tuesday at Citi Field, with Brandon Nimmo serving as Santa for the second straight year.