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
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.
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.
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.
🫲🫱
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
Would I rather have a batting champ or a AA player? Hmmm
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