After an exceedingly disappointing season, the New York Mets face a number of difficult offseason decisions. Already, significant adjustments have occurred following the hiring of David Stearns as the organization’s first President of Baseball Operations by owner Steve Cohen.
Buck Showalter led the Mets to 101 victories in 2022. This season, they only won 75 games, a significant regression. Consequently, Stearns resolved to fire the captain.
Prior to the current season, Queens, New York had a distinct atmosphere. Fans believed this team was on the verge of becoming a perennial contender due to the presence of stars at the top of the rotation, but they failed miserably.
Jeff McNeil earned the National League Batting Title in 2022. When the 31-year-old utility player has a high batting average, he is a valuable member of the team. He lacks power and lightning-fast speed, but he is excellent at placing the bat on the ball.
The Mets may wish to retain McNeil, as he may have returned to his former self. The California native posted a.305 batting average and seven home runs after August 1. Over the course of 51 games, he collected 62 hits.
Other teams in the league may wish to take a chance on the veteran Mets player, as he could be useful to a contender. Billy Eppler indicated that the team is aiming for a run in 2025. This is not to suggest that New York cannot be a contender in 2024.
In light of this, it could make sense for the Mets to transfer McNeil during the offseason. Four times in his six-year tenure, he has hit above.300, so there would be suitors. The only drawback though, is his season was cut short with a partially torn UCL in his left forearm.
McNeil is optimistic that he will be able to play at the beginning of 2024, and many players have returned from similar injuries to resume their success. Assuming there are no health issues, he would be a player who is extensively targeted.
Talented players populate the Mets’ roster, so it will be intriguing to observe the team’s strategy. As the Atlanta Braves are a juggernaut, it’s unlikely that they will contend for the division next year.
The elements that Stearns possesses could position them for a Wild Card berth in 2024, after which anything is possible. Pete Alonso, Francisco Lindor, Brandon Nimmo, Kodai Senga, and Edwin Diaz are all in the apex of their careers, so retaining McNeil could be advantageous.
Should the New York Mets trade Jeff McNeil?
New York was able to acquire a number of talented prospects by utilizing veterans like Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, and others. If their prospects materialize, they will pose a threat within a few years.
If the Mets want to be a threat during the upcoming season, retaining McNeil could be a wise decision. Stearns and Cohen’s desire to age gracefully could result in the 2022 National League Batting Champion playing for a different team in 2024.
With McNeil receiving the majority of his at-bats at second base, Acuna’s timeline could be delayed. If the Mets’ new top prospect lives up to expectations, he would ideally be the team’s second baseman for the foreseeable future.
If New York believes that Acuna could contribute as early as next season, they could acquire pitching depth by trading McNeil. With Senga being the only dependable starter in the rotation, it would make sense for Stearns to add depth.
The 2021 Cy Young Award winner Corbin Burnes will become a free agent in 2025, and the Milwaukee Brewers are speculated to be interested in trading him. Now that Stearns is in New York, there are already rumors that his close associate Craig Counsell will join him.
Consequently, it would make sense to recruit Burnes given their connections. Losing McNeil would be detrimental to the lineup, but the rotation would feature two National League aces in the apex of their careers.
