The New York Mets are sending second baseman Jeff McNeil to the Athletics in a vacation week commerce, per ESPN. The A’s will even obtain almost $6 million in money issues to assist cowl McNeil’s wage, and the Mets pays for McNeil’s buyout if the A’s elect towards exercising his membership possibility for subsequent season. The Mets, in flip, will obtain a younger pitching prospect, right-hander Yordan Rodriguez.
McNeil ought to slot in on the keystone for the A’s, who had been recognized to be investigating potential second-base upgrades this offseason. Over the previous three years, he is hit .253/.326/.389 (101 OPS+) with per-season averages of 11 residence runs and a pair of Wins Above Substitute.
For comparability, the Athletics’ assortment of second basemen hit .199/.267/.283 with 11 residence runs. (That group was led by Luis Urías and Zack Gelof.)
McNeil, 33, is coming into the ultimate assured season of his contract. He is slated to earn $15.75 million in 2026 with a membership possibility that will pay him an an identical sum in 2027. Given the phrases of the commerce, the A’s would appear extra prone to as an alternative decline the choice.
Rodriguez, 17, threw in eight video games as a part of the Dominican Summer time League. He compiled a 2.93 ERA and a 2.50 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
The Mets diminished their want for McNeil earlier this winter, first by buying second baseman Marcus Semien from the Texas Rangers in change for outfielder Brandon Nimmo, after which by signing veteran infielder Jorge Polanco to a two-year pact. The Mets have additionally allowed longtime first baseman Pete Alonso to go away for the Baltimore Orioles via free company, guaranteeing they will have a new-look infield in 2026. (The Mets additionally misplaced nearer Edwin Díaz to the Los Angeles Dodgers, albeit whereas signing two former Yankees in Devin Williams and Luke Weaver.)
On a associated observe: left-hander David Peterson, himself topic to commerce rumors, is now the ultimate Mets participant standing who performed on the big-league stage underneath the Wilpon possession group, per The Athletic.
It is to be seen how the Mets navigate the remainder of the winter. Along with Peterson, New York has been reportedly open to transferring starter Kodai Senga and a slew of younger infielders (Mark Vientos and Brett Baty amongst them). The Mets have been linked to a number of the prime free-agent hitters, too, in outfielders Kyle Tucker and Cody Bellinger.
