The New York Mets have traded second baseman Jeff McNeil, along with cash, to the A’s for a rookie-ball arm in right-hander Yordan Rodriguez, per ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
For New York, this is a major move to cut costs. McNeil, 34 in April, has a $15.75 million salary for 2026, plus a club option in 2027. That club option has a buyout of just $2 million.
The Mets are sending $5.75 million to help cover the salary, per Passan. New York will also pay for the buyout, should the A’s not exercise McNeil’s option.
For the Mets, this is a somewhat surprising move, especially considering owner Steven Cohen’s resources to spend.
Rodriguez, 17, is a low-level prospect. In eight games during the 2025 season, Rodriguez had a 2.93 ERA with 20 strikeouts in 15.1 innings.
Looking Back on McNeil’s Time With the New York Mets
McNeil, going into his ninth year in the major leagues, made two All-Star Games with the New York Mets. In eight years, he accumulated 80 home runs with 367 runs driven in and 23 bWAR.
He was able to play multiple positions during his time with New York, including outfield, but was primarily used at second base.
While not a big power hitter, as evidenced by his 80 career home runs, he was a great contact hitter in his time with the Mets.
He was a batting champion in 2022, hitting .326 with an .836 OPS.
In 3245 career at-bats, he owns a .284/.351/.428 slash line, good for a .779 OPS and 117 OPS+.
So what do the Mets do without McNeil? After the acquisition of Marcus Semien, McNeil was expected not to play second base anymore. However, an outfield role was not out of the question for McNeil.
McNeil played 342 games in the outfield during his time with the Mets. However, with the A’s glaring hole at second base, he should reprise his role.
What Does New York Do Now?
With Semien expected to be the opening-day second baseman, that hole is filled. However, the Mets have glaring needs in the outfield.
As of now, superstar outfielder Juan Soto and Tyrone Taylor are the only prominent outfielders with starting experience.
Soto’s experience goes without saying. He is a four-time All-Star and three-time MVP finalist. However, Taylor, while a seven-year veteran, is coming off a terrible season in which he had a .598 OPS. However, Taylor brings elite speed and fielding to the equation, making him the starter at center field more than likely.
That still leaves a hole in left field, with no real in-house options to replace McNeil. This is concerning, especially for a team like the Mets that is trying to contend in a crowded NL East.
The Mets missed the playoffs last year and need to fill that huge hole in their lineup to contend again.
Once again, the Mets are moving in a different direction from a long-time player. In recent weeks, the Mets have moved on from Brandon Nimmo, Edwin Diaz, Pete Alonso and now McNeil, potentially signaling a retool for New York.
There are still prominent free agents for New York to sign, like Cody Bellinger and Kyle Tucker. Whether the Mets do so remains to be seen.
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