Jeff McNeil Traded to Athletics
When Brandon Nimmo left, Jeff McNeil became the longest tenured Met. Now, that title will fall onto David Peterson. Jeff Passan of ESPN and our own Mike Mayer report that the Mets traded the utility player and $5.75 million to the Athletics in exchange for minor leaguer RHP Yordan Rodriguez. Passan notes the Mets will also pay McNeil’s $2 million buyout if the Athletics don’t exercise his club option for 2027.
McNeil was owed $15.75 million in 2026, thus saving the Mets $10 million. The Athletics gave the 17-year-old Rodriguez a $400K signing bonus as an IFA signee in January. A scout told MMO that Rodriguez was up to 97 mph this year with a plus spin breaking ball. Baseball America wrote about him being one of the top pitchers in the DSL this year.
The latest former Met underwent a minor procedure for thoracic outlet syndrome soon after the 2025 season. However, he is expected to be ready for spring training with no limitations. The pain from TOS impacted McNeil’s swing in 2025, especially in the latter half of the season.
It’s an unsurprising development given the Mets’ offseason. They’ve already traded the aforementioned Nimmo to the Rangers in exchange for Marcus Semien, and let Pete Alonso and Edwin Díaz depart in free agency. With that, the core has broken up.
McNeil, 33, made his Mets debut in 2018 and quickly became an everyday player with his plus-defense and superb contact skills. The Flying Squirrel hit .284/.351/.428 (.779 OPS) across eight seasons with the Mets. A two-time All-Star, McNeil finished sixth in Rookie of the Year voting in 2018, 15th in MVP voting in 2022 and was a Silver Slugger Recipient in 2022. He became the second Met to win the NL Batting Title (2022), after Jose Reyes won it in 2011. McNeil hit .326/.382/.454 (.826 OPS) in 2022, a career year which led to a four-year, $50 million contract extension with a club option for a fifth year.
The California native will finish his Mets career tied with Mike Piazza for eighth in doubles (193), tied for ninth in batting average and third in HBP (85).
With the arrival of Semien at second base and Jorge Polanco (who plans to take his shares at first and DH, but might see time at other infield spot), McNeil’s position was a question mark. A utility player, he’s found success in the outfield, second, and third base. Now. McNeil will continue his acrobatics with the Athletics.
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