Mets infielder/outfielder Jeff McNeil has been diagnosed with a fracture in his right wrist that was sustained when he was hit by a pitch in tonight’s game, the team announced (Twitter link via Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News). Specifically, McNeil has suffered a right distal ulnar fracture. That puts an end to his 2019 season — on the same night the Mets were mathematically eliminated from postseason contention by a Brewers victory.
It’s a sour note on which to finish an exceptional season for the 27-year-old McNeil, who hit .318/.384/.531 with 23 home runs, 37 doubles and a triple in his first full big league season. McNeil leads Mets regulars in batting average and on-base percentage, and only 12 qualified hitter in all of baseball have posted a lower strikeout rate than his minuscule 13.2 percent.
While it’s been a disastrous year for the Mets in some regards — Robinson Cano, Edwin Diaz and Jeurys Familia have all struggled; Jed Lowrie has taken seven plate appearances — McNeil and likely Rookie of the Year Pete Alonso have been among the club’s brightest spots. The position(s) at which McNeil is deployed in 2020 will depend somewhat on the team’s offseason maneuverings, but he’ll assuredly be in the lineup with regularity now that he’s cemented himself as a late-blooming building block in Queens. He’s seen action at second base, third base and in both outfield corners this season but could have a clearer path to regular reps at third base with Todd Frazier set to become a free agent. Then again, McNeil looked destined for regular second base work in 2019 before the Mets stunned the baseball world with the ill-fated Cano/Diaz blockbuster.
Regardless of where he lines up defensively, McNeil’s bat has proven to be among the most potent in the National League. Barring an offseason extension, he’ll continue to give the Mets an extreme bargain, playing out the 2020 campaign at scarcely more than the league minimum, given his standing as a pre-arbitration player. McNeil won’t even be eligible for arbitration until the completion of the 2021 season, and he’s under club control all the way through 2024.
How many players are gonna have their hands broke this season by baseballs? These pitchers can’t locate if their moms depended on it. Teams are rushing these kids threw the system way to fast.
Yeah throw hard and no control.
Was there last night and saw it. Actually, I heard it up in a 400 section. Guy behind me said, that’s broken.
A lot of these pitchers do have control, it’s just impossible to be able for them to throw the ball exactly where they want every time. Even the pitchers with best command could easily hit someone’s hand if they try to get a pitch inside but throw it too far in
A team that could use it, the Mets would garner all kinds of positive PR by extending McNeil. You don’t have to be crazy; maybe just buy out his first arbitration year, and give him some up front money. Something like 2M a year for 3 years. Maybe a little bonus money tied in there.
The guy’s a story and a half. Pay the man his due.
“Pay the man his due” said by every union to employer for like ever.
But they really, really needed to get Cano, right?
No, they really needed Diaz of 2016-2018…Canó was the price for Diaz.
Agreed. Trades and contract signings are bets on future performance based on past success. Unfortunately, this year was a bomb for Díaz and Canó. Díaz is still only 25 and could improve. Canó’s value is more in his influence than his play. Rosario made tremendous strides under his tutelage. Seattle would’ve eaten more of Canó’s contract if the Mets included McNeil in the deal. Thank God they didn’t.
Price of Diaz and unloading two albatross contracts in Swarzak and Bruce
Sox can dream but I dont see an only DH getting more at the age of 32. Trade Yes hower he will not pt out unless sox gave him a way to stay