The New York Mets have confirmed a trade that will send infielder/outfielder Jeff McNeil to the Oakland Athletics in exchange for right-hander Yordan Rodriguez. As part of the deal, the Mets will contribute $5.75 million towards McNeil’s 2026 salary of $15.75 million and will also cover the $2 million buyout associated with his club option for 2027, should the Athletics choose not to execute it. With the Athletics currently holding a full 40-man roster, they will need to make a corresponding move to finalize the transaction.
This decision marks another chapter in the Mets’ significant roster overhaul this offseason, following their recent trades involving other players such as Brandon Nimmo, who was sent to the Texas Rangers last month, and the departures of Pete Alonso to the Baltimore Orioles and Edwin Díaz to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Notably, McNeil, Nimmo, and Alonso were all drafted by the Mets, with McNeil being selected in 2013 and making his major league debut in 2018. During his time with the Mets, McNeil played across eight seasons and logged 516 games, making an impressive 2,039 plate appearances.
Over his career with the Mets, McNeil has built a reputation as a consistent hitter, evidenced by his .307/.370/.458 batting line and a 130 wRC+, which indicates he produced 30% better than the average hitter during his prime years. His performance included 46 home runs, although 23 of those came during the 2019 season, notorious for having juiced balls. McNeil’s offensive prowess was further complemented by his defensive versatility; while he primarily played second base, he also excelled at third base and in the outfield, earning positive reviews for his fielding abilities. FanGraphs credited him with 15.3 wins above replacement throughout his Mets career.
In 2023, the Mets extended McNeil’s contract with a four-year deal worth $50 million as he approached his 31st birthday. While the extension has not turned out poorly, his overall production has experienced a decline since then. His batting average on balls in play (BABIP) has dropped significantly, leading to a more modest batting line of .253/.326/.389 over the past three seasons, paired with a wRC+ of 102. Despite these challenges, McNeil’s strong defensive skills have maintained his value, contributing around two fWAR per year since the extension.
As the offseason continues, the trade signals a decisive shift for the Mets as they seek to reset their roster, while also marking the end of McNeil’s noteworthy tenure with the team. Fans will undoubtedly be eager to see the next steps for both McNeil and the Mets, as the new season approaches.