The Astros are keen on adding left-handed hitting to their righty-heavy lineup, and “at least inquired” with the Mets about the availability of Jeff McNeil, Brett Baty, and switch-hitter Ronny Mauricio, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post. Since the Mets are known to be open to dealing from their infield depth, a trade between the two sides would seem to make sense on paper, though it isn’t known if the discussions gained any traction.
McNeil is in something of a different category than the other two players, as McNeil is an established big league commodity. In fact, the 33-year-old is again producing above-average offense after a couple of down years, as McNeil is hitting .251/.356/.453 with nine home runs over 265 plate appearances. Between this steady bat and McNeil’s ability to play both second base and all three outfield positions (with a particular focus on center field this year), it is hard to imagine the Mets parting ways with such a key cog in their lineup.
On the financial side of things, McNeil is controlled through 2027 as per the four-year, $50MM extension he signed with New York prior to the 2023 season. He is owed the remainder of his $15.75MM salary for 2025, another $15.75MM in 2026, and there is a $2MM buyout on a $15.75MM club option for 2027. Barring a similar contract heading back to the Mets, a McNeil trade would put the Astros well over the luxury tax threshold, which seemed to be an unofficial spending limit for the club last offseason. Recent reports indicate that Houston might well consider exceeding the tax line in certain circumstances, but bringing McNeil aboard may not qualify.
Landing Baty or Mauricio is perhaps more of a viable option for the Astros, though New York would also want something significant for either player, given their years of team control and their still-recent status as top-100 prospects. Baty has hit only .220/.284/.352 over 865 PA in the majors, however, and perhaps has fallen out of favor after once being viewed as the Amazins’ third baseman of the future. Mauricio has a more respectable .245/.303/.400 slash line from a small sample of 238 career PA, and he is back in action this season after missing the entire 2024 campaign recovering from a torn ACL.
While the two youngsters still have something to prove as big leaguers, the change-of-scenery potential could be attractive to the Astros, as well as Houston’s more immediate near-term needs. The Astros were thin on left-handed hitting even before the heavy swath of injuries that sent seven position players to the IL — Yordan Alvarez, their most prominent lefty-swinger, has now missed close to three months due to a hand fracture.
Jeremy Pena is expected back at shortstop within the next few days, so Baty or Mauricio could be used at second or third base. Isaac Paredes and Brendan Rodgers are also on the IL and not expected back soon, so a new face at second base would move Jose Altuve into left field on a more regular basis, thus addressing Houston’s outfield needs. (GM Dana Brown outlined this possible scenario this past weekend.)
Red Sox should get on the phone with the Astros and offer up Yoshida….
“Red Sox..offer up Yoshida”..I just got off the phone with the Houston Astros. All they’re offering for Yoshida is a 6 pack of Milwaukee’s Best beer.
I tried my best to get “Bud” or “Michelob”, but they held firm. Oh, the six pack they offered was used and already missing 3 beers. It was totally the best I could do.
Your terms are acceptable
They need to talk to the White Sox about Tauchman
What would the Mets get from the Astros ?
Do they have CF’s?
An underachieving Chas McCormack would probably be available for the right price.
Not much. Astros don’t have a good farm system and they won’t give up Major League talent.
Mets need CF and DH help and I’m pretty sure Jake Meyers and Yordan Alvarez are not available.
Meyers or McCormick could be…they like Melton a lot in CF.
It would have to be a pretty huge return for McNeil right now. In the off season they might be able to make a deal, but they can’t lose their 3rd best hitter right now. Baty or Mauricio I could see being traded for the right price.
There’s no one on Houston that the Mets can use, they’re not giving up Hader or Abreu
Baty has the tools to have a solid big league career and increased his value by now also playing second. He shows glimpses at the plate but then gets inconsistent. Solid third baseman and improving at second. Good hands. Strong arm.
Using Baty’s career averages is a little disingenuous given his numbers this year are a little better. Through 86 games and 283 plate appearances, his slash is .230/.287/..409 with an OPS of .696. That’s not particularly good, but it’s significantly better than an OPS of .636. He’s also shown flashes of heating up (.914 OPS in May and .717 OPS in July).
Given his solid defense at third and modest improvement since his 2022 debut, I hope New York holds onto him and leaves him at third so he can focus on hitting. Another .050 points added to his batting average alone would make him an average MLB hitter with 15-20 home run and 10 stolen bases. Definitely worth the gamble.
Small sample size, but he appears to have opposite field home run power. He doesn’t have to pull the ball to hit it out. Completely agree with keeping him at 3rd. Not completely convinced they can give up on Vientos. Good thing I don’t get paid to make these decisions.