By Shaun McAvoyShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberThe New York Mets pulled off one of the biggest moves of the early offseason, trading Brandon Nimmo to the Texas Rangers in exchange for three-time All-Star second baseman Marcus Semien.
The Mets had a disastrous finish this season, barely missing the playoffs with an 83-79 record. Despite boasting one of the highest payrolls in baseball, the Mets were unable to make a postseason run, and have already started making roster changes with their blockbuster trade for Semien.
Bringing in Semien was a great move for the team, but it could lead to the Mets parting ways with one of their fan-favorite players. MLB.com's Mark Feinsand predicted that the Mets may trade two-time All-Star Jeff McNeil this offseason.
..."While free-agent names such as Kyle Tucker, Cody Bellinger, Pete Alonso and Alex Bregman will dominate the headlines, the trade market could continue to be interesting," Feinsand wrote Friday. "Some clubs could look to shed payroll, while others could turn to the trade market to fill holes on their rosters.
"The acquisition of Semien secured the Mets’ second base position, and they’re believed to be pursuing one of the top outfielders on the market, which would relegate McNeil to a super-utility role, one that could be filled by the much more inexpensive Luisangel Acuña. McNeil is in the final year of his four-year, $50 million extension, though his contract also has a $15.75 million club option for 2027 with a $2 million buyout."
McNeil has been one of New York's most consistent players for years. The 33-year-old utility player has spent all eight seasons of his career with the Mets, playing in 120 or more games each of the past seven seasons, except for the shortened 2020 season, when he played in 52 of 60 regular-season games.
McNeil won the NL batting title in 2022, but has since struggled to replicate that level of success. The 33-year-old appeared in 122 games for the Mets this season, but with the acquisition of Semien, he will likely have a far less consistent role and may be a good trade chip for the Mets this offseason.
More MLB: Dodgers Could Target Mets’ 31-Year-Old All-Star, Per Insider
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