MMO Roundtable: More Goodbyes – Reactions To Jeff McNeil

We saw the writing on the wall, but now it’s happened. Jeff McNeil—who became the longest tenured Met after Brandon Nimmo left—is now also leaving. In case you haven’t checked your phone, television, radio, etc. McNeil has been traded to the Athletics in exchange for minor leaguer RHP Yordan Rodriguez.

Below, we say goodbye to McNeil and share our reactions. In case you want to continue to commiserate with us,

• Here are our raw reactions to losing Edwin Diaz
• Here are our not so pretty reactions to losing Pete Alonso
• Here are our reactions to the Brandon Nimmo/Marcus Semien trade

Michael Mayer

With a lot of the Mets’ moves this offseason, we’ve said “well, what’s next?” and that feels like the case again here.

The first move was trading Brandon Nimmo for Marcus Semien, as the Mets clearly told you how they thought about some of their longest tenured players. The Mets lost Edwin Diaz, but did sign Devin Williams and Luke Weaver. They lost Pete Alonso, but did bring in Jorge Polanco (though they obviously need to add another big bat).

McNeil turns 34 in April and is rehabbing after surgery for TOS. He’s still a useful utility player, so again, let’s see how this all plays out. I know Mets fans are very curious to see what the 2026 team will look like after a disappointing season. That said, MLB offseasons tend to drag out these days, and seven of the top 10 free agents (MLBTR rankings) and 25 of the 50 are still available. Many of the pieces we’ve heard in trade rumors are still available. There is plenty of time for David Stearns to put his touches on the Mets’ 2026 roster, and he’s certainly put a ton of pressure on himself to do it well.

After talking to a scout who watched Rodriguez, I believe that the Mets got a legit pitching prospect. He’s a 17-year-old with a lengthy frame (6”3″) that’s already seen a velo spike up to 97 mph, and he has a plus spin breaking ball. Baseball America also noted he was one of the best pitching prospects in the Dominican Summer League this year.

Mojo Hill

This trade is surprising, as any departure of a longtime fan favorite is bound to be. Then again, it’s not all that surprising when considering the Mets have shown little hesitation in parting ways with their core this winter. Plus, the Mets’ infield has gotten crowded with the additions of Marcus Semien and Jorge Polanco. McNeil has been just okay over the last few years, and he’ll be 34 next season. Objectively, it makes some sense to move on.

I found McNeil easy to root for early in his career. He was a fun, exciting hitter. I was actually in attendance for his first MLB hit. But I’d honestly kind of gotten over him a little bit in recent years. He got a little thump back in his bat in the first half of this season, but he still struggled down the stretch.

I think the Mets could have kept McNeil if they really wanted to, especially since he can play outfield too. But so be it. Hopefully, they have Kyle Tucker or Cody Bellinger in mind.

Yet again this offseason, it’s sad that a longtime Met is seeing his time in the organization abruptly come to an end. When McNeil was drafted by the Mets, the prospect they’re getting back was 5. It’s hard to assess the trade just because those guys are such an unknown. Maybe Yordan Rodriguez blossoms into one of the best pitching prospects in baseball, or maybe he flames out. Can’t really say. But the move addresses the Mets’ short-term logjam in the infield and long-term talent in the lower levels.

Mathias Altman-Kurosaki

I had a feeling McNeil was going to get traded this offseason even before Brandon Nimmo was dealt. While McNeil is two-time All-Star and a former batting champion, he’s turning 34 in April and has been a shell of himself over the last three seasons. With the Mets acquiring Marcus Semien and Jorge Polanco, McNeil had no real role on the roster. I’m not saying he can’t be a useful player, but it’s clear he had fallen out of favor in Flushing.

Rodriguez is an interesting prospect – he’s only 17 and isn’t necessarily a blue-chip guy, but he performed well in his first taste of professional action. He could turn into a solid player, or perhaps he’s someone the Mets trade for another big piece in the future.

David Melendi

I expected McNeil to go after the Mets traded for Semien. But as the weeks went by I was thinking maybe he’d be the Opening Day left fielder. The best thing about this to me is I am more optimistic that a quality outfielder is coming. Kyle Tucker is the dream. Cody Bellinger would be nice. Luis Robert Jr. would somehow be an upgrade and a disappointment.

Matthew Tutrone

Another long-time Met has seen his time in Queens come to an end. Jeff McNeil is a scrappy and versatile throwback type of player, and I’m sad to see him go despite the reported clashes with Lindor. But I understand now that David Stearns is hitting the reset button on this ballclub so he can truly make it in his own image. Hopefully, this move means the Mets will now make a more exciting move, but aside from blowing up the old core, the POBO’s plans seem to be an enigma.

Patrick Glynn

Once the others were traded, Jeff McNeil’s exit was inevitable. I thought, because he was the most versatile player/defender, he’d have a chance to stick it through, but David Stearns’ goal this offseason was clearly a reset of the core.

If I had to guess, they’re done with notable trades away from the team (Kodai Senga would maybe be the only other reasonable one), so it’s time to build up the 2026 roster. Hopefully, that includes some quality free agent signings and trades. Tarik Skubal and Kyle Tucker, naturally, are at the top of the list. Could Rodriguez be used in a future deal this offseason? Or soften the blow when a more notable prospect is included in a deal? It’s not out of the question.

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