The Mets took a big swing last night when they shipped franchise stalwart Brandon Nimmo to Arlington in order to install Marcus Semien as their new second baseman. Semien took a big step back with the bat this past year but remains a quality defender who produced a four-win season even as a league average hitter in 2024 thanks to his glove. There’s little doubt that Semien will enter next year poised to get the lion’s share of playing time at second base, but that creates plenty of uncertainty for the rest of the Mets’ infielders (aside from Francisco Lindor, anyway).
For the young infielders the Mets have on the roster, uncertainty is nothing new. Luisangel Acuna and Ronny Mauricio both spent time at Triple-A last year, and Mauricio could easily do so again in 2026. Mark Vientos lost playing time over the course of 2025, but the possible departure of Pete Alonso (not to mention Starling Marte) could open up playing time for a big right-handed bat in the first base and DH mix. If Vientos is moving to the other side of the diamond more frequently, that would leave third base wide open for Brett Baty to establish himself without needing to move around the diamond as he did this year. Then there’s also the looming presence of infield prospects like Jett Williams and Jacob Reimer, who will both likely be pushing into the big league mix in 2026.
Given all of that, this trade seems to create the most questions regarding the future of Jeff McNeil. McNeil is owed $15.75MM in the final guaranteed year of his contract. He’s also owed a $2MM buyout if his $15.75MM club option for the 2027 is declined. The Mets have never been afraid to flex their financial might under Steve Cohen’s ownership, but even for his standards, that’s a lot of money to dedicate to a bench player without a position. Marte made more than that last season, but he did wind up starting around half of the Mets’s games after entering the season in a DH platoon with Jesse Winker.
Perhaps McNeil could get to a similar amount of playing time if retained, thanks to his versatility. While he primarily played second base in 2025, McNeil also drew nine starts at DH and 35 in the outfield. He’s spent time at third base as well over the years, and even made cameos at first on occasion. That versatility could allow him to play all over the field in a super utility role, though keeping McNeil for that purpose would surely only serve to further squeeze the team’s young infielders out of the mix in 2026.
That makes an offseason trade seem like the optimal path forward, but there are complications with that plan as well. McNeil’s 111 wRC+ in 122 games this year is nothing to scoff at, but he’s been essentially league average (102 wRC+) at the plate over the last three seasons and no longer rates well anywhere other than second base defensively. Headed into his age-34 season, McNeil’s numbers are more likely to trend downward than tick back up, and teams could be hesitant to part with substantial talent for even a one-year commitment to the veteran at his current price tag.
The Mets are certainly capable of eating some salary to improve a trade return if they so choose, but it’s at least fair to wonder if they would be better off holding onto McNeil for the time being. Perhaps a Spring Training injury could make a team more motivated to add a short-term solution at second base if the Mets are patient, or perhaps an injury on their own roster could create a path to regular playing time for McNeil. If the Mets aren’t able to get a worthwhile return for the veteran’s services, there’s certainly a case to be made for holding him even if it complicates the fit of the club’s young players. It’s also worth noting that youngsters like Acuna are surely on the trade block themselves to some extent. If the Mets swing a big trade for a starting pitcher which sends young talent out the door, they could value McNeil all the more as a depth option.
If you were in the shoes of president of baseball operations David Stearns, how would you proceed with McNeil in the aftermath of the Semien trade? Would you do what you can to work out a trade for him this winter, even eating salary if necessary, or would you hold onto him as depth for Spring Training even if it means cluttering the path to playing time for young players? Have your say in the poll below:
What if they half-heartedly shop McNeil, while also eating celery?
Squirrel!
I hate celery, if I was a GM I genuinely don’t know if I would rather eat salary or eat celery
Eat celery
How are they going to get value when he’s injured?
He’s expected back on time with no residuals.
Exactly. No one is going to trade for him until it’s clear he’s healthy. Not worth talking about a potential trade until March, at least.
“Hello Mr. Moreno we heard you need a second baseman and a left fielder. We have a former All Star for you…”
Don’t give Arte ideas, he’s ready to tell Perry to pull the trigger.
Black Friday Special
For the reasons stated, why would another team want him at this point? I believe he’s worth more to the Mets than he is to others. If anything, fill out your roster first as the opening by trading Nimmo means he can at least be serviceable in left. Boston has Yoshida, the Mets have McNeil. Most bigger market class be have one or two underwater contracts. It goes with the territory of inking long term deals. You can’t win them all.
As an Astros fan I can confidently say that McNeil would be of more use to us than Christian Walker. And I think Walker would be of more use to you than McNeil. Let’s make a deal?
That isn’t half bad idea. Walker is owed more for longer though I think
Yeah with McNeil’s buyout their salaries are basically even for 2026 but Walker has one more year. Astros would probably have to kick in a prospect to get the Mets to take that second year but it would be worth it, As it stands we have no clear way of putting our best 9 on the field together long term and a lefty with good contact and plate discipline would really help the bottom of our lineup. And he’s a better defender at 2B than any of our current options.
I’d do that trade in a heart beat if there was money or a prospect thrown in. Walker was great in 24 in AZ and Astros fans are giving up on him too soon. Injuries happen and the extra corner infielder will be needed. As for second, find yourself someone cheap.
Walker is 35, coming off a very bad year. He’s almost untradeable.
It was more “exactly average” than “very bad” and his second half was completely in line with his career averages, he’s far from untradeable. Not a good asset for sure, but easily worth a bad contract swap. Mets fans seem to talk about McNeil the same way Astros fans talk about Walker so it’s probably a perfect match.
Fair enough-good second half
I would be surprised if the Mets don’t shoot higher for their 1B opening.
How is his contact underwater?
The Mets have Cohen money so they don’t need to keep him. Better to clear the spot for someone more useful.
I’ve been hating on this trade for the Mets ever since the news broke and McNeil might have almost as much value as semien despite the huge salary difference
I would keep McNeil since he can be used as outfield depth and insurance for Marcus
How Aggressively Should The Mets Shop Jeff McNeil? If I had to put a number on it from 1 to 10.
I would say 6-7.
🫲🫱
Oh ho ho I bet the 60 year olds on this site would know what 6 7 means
Who showed the 60 year olds the internet?!? We’re all doomed meow. 🙀
Include McNeil in the rumored trade with Senga and Williams for Durán and a relief pitcher
And you’ll hear a dial tone from Boston.
Boston doesn’t need another lefty bat. Duran will be dealt (or should be) as part of a bigger deal for a far better player. Senga needs a change but given circumstances, should be traded for another wild card.
Don’t worry, the Mets aren’t going to trade Jett Williams.
Never a consideration in Boston
At Stearns press conference about the Nimmo trade he sounded like he was planning on McNeil being on the team.
I don’t get why so many people want him moved. A 2 WAR utility player that can play 6 different positions is a great player to have.
I think it is because he doesn’t have a “position”. Actually, he has several. The good thing about a big payroll is you can keep those guys around for when someone gets hurt.
Couldn’t agree more. Per Stearns, the Nimmo deal offers longer term flexibility. Like most I loved the way Nimmo played but he was limited to LF or DH. He has no arm so couldn’t prevent a runner on 3rd from scoring on a shallow fly ball. McNeil has added pop to his game so the trade vastly improves their defense with a slight downgrade on offense. He underperforms and next year he’s off the books for $2m buyout.
It’s a big downgrade on offense from Nimmo to McNeil.
McNeil is a great poster boy for those who when analyzing, choose WAR at the top of their importance list. Anyone watching the Mets know he’s not an above average defender. His versatility and ability to poke a surprising big hit are great to have on the bench but $19m? The Mets will likely need to contribute 50% or take back another expensive deal.
Mocking WAR as a metric at this point is like making fun of people who use data to make the case that the planet, is in fact, not flat
Who is mocking WAR? I’m not a fan because there are too many variables that are unaccounted for. My complaint was only against those who see WAR as the most important criteria.
It combines their offensive and defensive metrics into a single number.
Which “variables” are not accounted for?
What is better?
6 positions? We wish.
Still, he’d be a starting LFer on more than half the teams in MLB.
McNeil’s Rbat+ was identical to Nimmo’s, at 113. Defense was nearly the same in left, slight edge to Squirrel.
Both are LHH, but McNeil lacks Nimmo’s plantar fascitis.
Corner OF is too good a spot to significantly upgrade for the Mets to do the following, but if they wanted to they could plan on McNeil as their everyday LFer and get extremely similar value from that compared to Nimmo.
Daniels was talking about getting him reps at 1B. Could play all 3 OF spots(though not a regular in CF) and 2B and 3B.
I’m saying “play” as in giving up a little on D for the bat.
Passive aggressively, that’s how
Found my wife’s account
The Mets always make baffling decisions, I would expect this to fall in line with that.
You’re likely easily baffled
Its hard to say, I think you take a look to see if there is any interest in McNeil. He’s provided a range of okay to pretty good offensive production as well as solid/a bit above average defense. I would keep him around until the trade deadline next year personally, see how Acuna (hopefully the hit by pitch a couple days ago ends up being nothing) or Mauricio can do with some more time in the bigs. Jett Williams looks like he needs some more seasoning at AAA. It looks more prudent to keep McNeil around for the time being unless someone makes you an offer that you can’t refuse, which is unlikely but you always have to consider things.
Watching the Mets in NY, he is at most average in the field at his best position. He’s getting older and is glove is not going to get better.
Package Semien & McNeil together and eat as much salary as is necessary to any team that is willing to take them for what ever it is that they offer. Move on from both of these players who are both teetering on the edge of the cliff. Make the Mets contenders and not pretenders.
Which team needs to add payroll before they’re hit with a union grievance?
Those are pretty binary answer choices. To me it seems like if Brendan Donovan is being positioned as a hot ticket on the trade market because lots of teams could use him, McNeil might also fill a need for those teams that miss out on Donovan. Fairly similarly shaped players. Donovan is in his prime and better with two years at a cheaper salary but some teams might just prefer to take on money rather than trade valuable players. I don’t think you need a substantial return to find value in trading him.
The way Stearns talked today, he might consider a trade but sees him serving a super utility role.
Would love to see McNeil with the Pirates
Then again, I’d love to see any guy who can hit with the Pirates
There’s no urgency to trade McNeil unless another team values his versatility and wants him included in a trade package for a premium starting pitcher. His salary for 26 and the team option for 27 is very reasonable, and his contract is nowhere near underwater as someone claimed. While he’s no longer a batting champion, he’s quite useful as a super utility player, and could serve as a placeholder in the OF while Benge and Williams get some more seasoning and experience at AAA for the first couple of months this coming year. I see no reason to give him away this winter while prospects like Acuna and Mauricio may be more attractive to other teams.
BTV has his contact at -$5 million
That sounds about right for a guy who has hit .241/.321/.397 these past two years and is owed 17.75m factoring in his 2m buyout.
Generally agree—and it’s a good point about the team option, which adds value. He projects to about 1.5 WAR in 2026, so not quite worth his salary, but the option means that once in a while he’ll put up a 3 win season in 2026 and be worth bringing back / trading.
Btw, McNeil’s only a corner OFer / 2Bman / emergency CFer. That’s good to have but he’s not really a superutility player.
As for being a placeholder, he was barely a CFer in 2025. You can’t play him in CF next season in an OF with Soto and expect anything but pain.
His sprint speed in 2025 was in the bottom 26% at 33. In 2026 at 34 it’ll be in the bottom quintile. He gets good jumps, takes good routes, but that can only take you so far as your fps threatens to drop below 26.
As an emergency CFer in 2025 he really helped, but that wore thin quickly. Sending him out there for 2-3 months if Benge needs more time at AAA won’t work well. And what if it takes a full year for Benge / Jett to be worth promoting? You end up at the Deadline where the Mets were in 2025, and that’s one of the likeliest outcomes.
It’s funny how often the “they have too many ___” situation is often cleared with an injury or two in spring training.
If they get a good offer, sure. If not keep him and see how camp shakes out.
Give him away if they can.
McNeil to Mariners for Castillo.
Mets Need pitching desperately and someone of McNeals caliber could help in that.
FG projections
McNeil 108 wRC+, 1.7 fWAR/616 PA
Acuña 87, 0.2/91
Mauricio 99, 0.9/434
Williams 89, 0.2/63
Those infielders should be able to roughly replicate his performance
BTV has McNiel $5 million underwater.
They should be able to get a prospect of some note if they pay down the contract.
What they should or shouldn’t do… that’s another question
While those projections could be accurate, that’s two extra players to roster to replicate the production and those spots have value for the Mets.
You won’t get a prospect of some note even by paying all of McNeil’s contract.
He now misses 30-40 games a year. Go by that FG projection, and make those 616 PA around 400-450. That’s a projectable 1.1-1.3 fWAR player. Those guys are available for just money, and they don’t move the needle. Could you snag the #18 prospect of some cheap team aiming for 75 wins and in need of a one year stopgap and ‘veteran presence’? Sure. But that’s as good as it’s going to get.
What helps his value to the Mets is that for his career he hits about .060 of OPS better against RHP. While at 34 he’s no one’s idea of a starter on a serious contender, as a backup corner OFer / 2Bman / ph v RHPer / emergency CFer… he’s a nice player to have. And if Soto or Semien, or whomever the Mets bring in as their big FA acquisition to play the corner OF misses a month, you can slot Squirrel in as a starter without trepidation.
His handedness at the plate also complements Semien’s. There’s a defensive cost to platooning in the middle of the DP combo, but Lindor as your SS minimizes that. Occasionally spelling Semien against RHPing has value.
Keeping McNeil as the Mets 4th OFer also lets them bring up Jett in Acuna’s role. Acuna’s not a backup on a team looking to win 88-90, and it’s a good time for Williams to get his feet wet.
Jorge Soler and Jeff McNeil are almost identical in cost. Soler dealt with injuries last year and is looking to bounce back to his 2023-24 norms. Meanwhile, the Angels don’t really have a place to play him, are looking for left handed bats to diversify their lineup, and have room in LF, 3b and maybe 2b.
Seems like a potential match of underwater contracts for guys looking to make good before going into FA.
@TurksTeeth That’s crazy talk.
Soler’s worthless (as a player), actually putting up negative value in 2025. He’s unplayable in the OF at this point and as a DH his platoon splits, which might have given him a little value, flatlined.
McNeil on the other hand would have real if modest value to the Mets as their 4th OFer also capable of starting for a month, backup 2Bman, ph v RHP—while Soler is unlikely to be a positive contributor even as a platoon DH.
“He’s only 34–he’ll get it going any day now!”
It’s far more likely Soler is out of baseball by the end of 2026 than it is he’s offered a major league contract in the 2026-27 offseason.
McNeil’s career trajectory is interesting.
2018-2020: 1024 PA, .319 BA
2024-2025: 934 PA, .241 BA
It’s obviously a lot easier to replace a .240 hitter versus a .320 one.
He just had TOS surgery. Dump him.
I would definitely trade McNeil and include cash to improve the return.
Right now McNeil is the LF replacement for Nimmo as well as a super-utility player. So if they don’t get any decent offers, he should stay for the time being.
I would certainly look to upgrade CF and LF, and start using Soto as at least a part-time DH.
Jett Williams is my CF of the future, and Carson Benge the RF of the future.
Kyle Tucker or Cody Bellinger would be the position player focus after trading McNeil.
Guaranteed 17.75mil. A club at most might pick up 6mil in salary to rent/decline option for ’27. Injury concern/mid-30s.
McNeil is trash. I would dump him for the first offer that comes along.
What about Christian Walker for Jeff McNeil.
@Jpenglish I would trade your entire future as a commenter for two annoying, quarter-page ads. With sound.
If he’s traded, I’ll miss his violent, child-like helmet and bat slamming to the ground every time he makes an out at the plate.
He won the batting title the last year the shift was legal because for some reason clubs continued to shift despite his ability to go the opposite way. If any left-handed batter misses the shift, it was Squirrel. He has adjusted by going for the home run ball with some success.
A useful utility player on the decline and at this point a little expensive, but money should not be an issue. I think they keep him
I’m a McNeil fan. All your points are valid.
Make it official, trade Lindor for SP and prospects. Go all in for a rebuild.
I voted to keep McNeil mainly as a platoon player at first and a last resort fill-in at other positions. Because of his age and sudden ineptitude, they might have to include a couple of pitchers from whats left of their corps for another team to take him
Teams with $300M payrolls don’t rebuild.
And not one year after signing the highest paid free agent in Soto
I think the distinction is that “shop aggressively” is to go out and take the initiative to try to craft deals with him included or as key component and the other option is just to put it out there that he’s available and wait and see if any offers suit your needs.
Thats how I interpret it at least
Very aggressively. Get rid of him. And Semien can’t start anywhere.