The Mets have added a fourth member to their core.
Jeff McNeil, who became expendable after the signing of Marcus Semien last month, was traded to the Athletics for a minor league pitching prospect on Monday, according to an industry source. The Mets are also sending cash to offset the $15.75 million McNeil is owed for next season. According to a source, the A’s will receive $5.75 million. McNeil’s contract also includes a team option for 2027 with a $2 million buyout.
In return, the Mets received Yordan Rodriguez, a 17-year-old fireballer who played in eight games at the Rookie-ball level last season and posted a 2.93 ERA.
McNeil’s days in Queens appeared to be numbered after the Mets acquired Semien in the trade that sent Brandon Nimmo to Texas in November.
“I want to thank Jeff for his time and contributions to the organization,” Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said in a statement. “He was drafted by the team and grew up in our system. I wish Jeff and his family success and much happiness in the future. We are excited to bring Yordan into our system. He is a young right-hander with a promising future.”
In addition to McNeil and Nimmo, the Mets are the successors to Pete Alonso and Edwin Díaz this season. Alonso signed a five-year, $155 million contract with the Orioles two weeks ago. Díaz signed a three-year contract with the Dodgers worth $69 million.
McNeil’s departure solves a potential clubhouse problem: The Post reported last month that McNeil and Francisco Lindor had a heated confrontation last season after a defensive breakdown in a game against the Phillies on June 20. The two also feuded in 2021, leading to a physical altercation in which Lindor grabbed McNeil by the throat.
McNeil produced a .243/.335/.411 slash line with 12 home runs and 54 RBIs last season, moving between second base and the outfield. Stearns had previously indicated that McNeil might also play first base for the Mets next season. The veteran utility man is coming off surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome, but the procedure is not expected to hinder him heading into spring training.
The makeover follows a Mets nosedive that prevented the team from reaching the postseason despite a $341 million payroll.
Stearns has talked about the team’s need to improve defensively, and Semien — who won a Gold Glove at second base last season — should help in that area.
The Mets also signed Jorge Polanco to a two-year contract worth $40 million to provide the team with a bat following Alonso’s departure. Polanco is expected to see plenty of action at first base, but has only appeared at the position once in the major leagues.
On the pitching front, the Mets have added relievers Devin Williams (three years, $51 million) and Luke Weaver (two years, $22 million) to a bullpen that will look different after Díaz’s departure.
In addition to a vacancy in the outfield following the Nimmo trade, the Mets could also be looking to upgrade a rotation that has plenty of weapons but has questions about the front end after Kodai Senga and Sean Manaea’s struggles last season. Other starting rotation pieces include Nolan McLean, Brandon Sproat, Jonah Tong and Christian Scott, along with veterans Clay Holmes and David Peterson.
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