Crossfire: Keep or Trade Jeff McNeil?

Much of the Mets’ offseason speculation has surrounded Pete Alonso’s future and Juan Soto’s arrival. However, one hot topic that’s come up in recent days and weeks is the notion of Jeff McNeil as a possible trade chip. The former NL batting title winner struggled in 2024, posting a 1.3 fWAR and .238/.308/.384/.692 hitting line. The utility player is just three seasons removed from his 2022 5.6 fWAR, where he led MLB in batting average with a .326/.382/.454/.836 line. McNeil finished that campaign with his second All-Star appearance and first Silver Slugger Award and finished with NL MVP votes, placing 15th.

The Mets enter 2025 in a different position. Second base seems to be McNeil’s, even if Alonso returns. Mark Vientos is a lineup lock after 2024’s strong showing, and Brett Baty, Luisangel Acuña and Ronny Mauricio will all compete for positions. The Mets signed Nick Madrigal to round out the infield bench platoon and Jared Young as depth earlier in the offseason.

McNeil’s been a potential name in trade packages for starting pitchers for years. The Padres have been shopping Dylan Cease and Michael King, while the Mariners have many young arms the Mets would love to get. Could McNeil rebound again, like he did from 2021 to 2022 in 2025, or would he better be used as a trade chip?

Fellow MMO editor Mathias Altman-Kurosaki and I debate.

Keep McNeil

At the 2024 All-Star break, McNeil looked to be playing his way off the Mets’ roster. He had a .591 OPS with just five homers in the first half and wasn’t hitting the ball particularly hard, and as a result, continued to drop in the team’s lineup. However, he looked like a completely different hitter in the second half. He clubbed seven homers and posted a .923 OPS – the seventh-highest mark for any NL player with at least 140 second-half plate appearances. It’s a shame McNeil’s season was cut short when he fractured his wrist because he had finally hit his stride and wasn’t showing signs of slowing down. While he’ll be 33 years old in April, McNeil proved in the second half of the season that he can still be a reliable bat. There aren’t many second basemen that have the offensive capabilities of McNeil, and as of right now, it appears that Jose Iglesias won’t be back with the team in 2025. His versatility is also valuable, as he can shift to the outfield when Juan Soto or Brandon Nimmo need rest. Unless the Mets get an irresistible haul in return, it doesn’t make much sense to deal McNeil.

Trade McNeil

I was an early McNeil believer when he was rocking No. 68 in his debut season. He’s been a big piece in the puzzle for the Mets ever since he debuted. In 2022, he came up with clutch-after-clutch hit. Every year he makes insane plays in positions he’s not accustomed to. However, while he’s essential to the Mets, he might be more valuable to them as a trade piece.

McNeil offers something most teams desire: defensive versatility (he’s played every position except catcher), a contact-first hitting approach, a low strikeout rate when he’s on, and an overall tough out. He can bat anywhere in a lineup and has been an attractive option throughout the years as teams have checked in. He signed a four-year extension in the 2022 offseason worth over $50 million that can reach $63.75 million with incentives and a club option for 2027.

The Flying Squirrel can fit into teams in “win-now” mode or close to it, particularly the Mariners, Tigers, or Padres, teams either stacked with young arms or looking to move starting pitching and controllable arms. Luisangel Acuña, Ronny Mauricio and Brett Baty are all on the cusp of cracking the roster to take McNeil’s spot if traded, with Jett Williams waiting in Triple-A as the next man up.

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