The New York Mets’ offseason overhaul continued in dramatic fashion on December 22, 2025, as the club traded longtime utility man Jeff McNeil to the Oakland Athletics in exchange for teenage pitching prospect Yordan Rodriguez. The deal, first reported by Jeff Passan of ESPN, represents another seismic shift for a Mets organization determined to reshape its core after a disappointing 83-win season that left them on the outside looking in come playoff time.
The move sees the Mets send not only McNeil—who had become the club’s longest-tenured player after the earlier departure of Brandon Nimmo—but also $5.75 million to Oakland, helping to offset the $17.75 million remaining on McNeil’s four-year, $50 million contract. If the A’s decline McNeil’s $15.75 million team option for 2027, the Mets are also on the hook for a $2 million buyout. For McNeil, who turns 34 in April, the trade closes the book on an eight-season run in Queens that saw him rise from a 12th-round draft pick to a two-time All-Star and 2022 National League batting champion.
"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 good luck going forward. We are excited to bring Yordan into our system. He is a young right-hander with a promising future."
McNeil’s journey with the Mets was anything but dull. Debuting in 2018, he quickly became a fan favorite for his gritty play, high-contact approach, and defensive versatility. Over his Mets career, McNeil compiled a .284 batting average, .351 on-base percentage, and .428 slugging percentage, good for an OPS+ of 117. He hit 80 home runs and notched a pair of All-Star appearances, peaking in 2022 when he captured the NL batting title with a .326 average and brought home a Silver Slugger Award.
Yet, consistency often eluded McNeil. His 2022 campaign was sandwiched between two years in which he hovered at or below league-average production. In 2025, he slashed .243/.335/.411 with 12 home runs, 54 RBIs, and 42 runs over 122 games, missing the first month of the season due to an oblique strain. Despite those ups and downs, McNeil’s ability to play all over the diamond remained his calling card—last season alone, he logged 79 games at second base, 34 in center field, ten in left, seven in right, and even two at first base. It’s a skill set that made him invaluable at times, but also left him without a true home as the Mets’ roster evolved.
That evolution accelerated this winter. The Mets’ front office, led by Stearns, has made it clear that a new direction is underway. The team traded Brandon Nimmo for Gold Glove second baseman Marcus Semien, signed closer Devin Williams, and added infielder Jorge Polanco and reliever Luke Weaver. With Semien now entrenched at second and a desire for a more defensively robust center fielder, the writing was on the wall for McNeil. The Mets’ glut of young infielders—including Brett Baty, Mark Vientos, Ronny Mauricio, and Luisangel Acuña—only further squeezed his opportunities for at-bats.
McNeil’s exit is just the latest domino to fall in a tumultuous Mets offseason. In addition to Nimmo, the club saw Pete Alonso bolt for the Orioles on a five-year, $155 million deal, and Edwin Diaz sign with the Dodgers for three years and $69 million. The core that once promised a World Series run is now a memory, and the roster’s longest-tenured player is now left-hander David Peterson, who debuted in 2020.
For the Athletics, the deal is a clear play for stability and veteran presence. McNeil is expected to step in as the club’s primary second baseman, providing a much-needed left-handed bat and steady glove. His 2.0 WAR in 2025 would be a significant upgrade for an Oakland infield that was set to rely on Zack Gelof and Max Muncy. With McNeil in the fold, Muncy can continue his development in Triple-A, and Gelof may see time in a semi-platoon role. The A’s also designated left-hander Ken Waldichuk for assignment to open a roster spot for their new acquisition.
Despite his age and recent surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome—a procedure that can have unpredictable effects on a player’s performance—McNeil’s contact skills and flexibility make him an intriguing addition. While he’s never been a power hitter outside of one 23-homer season, his ability to put the ball in play and avoid strikeouts is a rarity in today’s game. He’s also known for his fiery demeanor—sometimes a little too fiery, as Mets fans will recall his penchant for slamming his bat or helmet and occasionally testing the limits of the SNY broadcast’s mute button.
Of course, the trade wasn’t solely about on-field performance. Rumors have swirled for years about possible personality clashes between McNeil and star shortstop Francisco Lindor, though neither player has publicly addressed the reports. Whether or not those tensions played a role, the Mets’ desire to change the team’s culture was no secret. Swapping out a veteran like McNeil for a young prospect like Rodriguez is as much about the future as it is about the present.
Speaking of Rodriguez, the Mets are taking a classic lottery-ticket swing on the 17-year-old right-hander from Cuba. Rodriguez signed with the Athletics for a $400,000 bonus in January 2025 and made eight appearances for Oakland’s Dominican Summer League squad, posting a 2.93 ERA over 15 1/3 innings with 20 strikeouts and eight walks. While he’s still years away from the majors, Mets brass are optimistic about his upside. As Stearns put it, "He is a young right-hander with a promising future." For a team looking to replenish its farm system and build for the long haul, Rodriguez represents a low-risk, high-upside play.
Meanwhile, the Mets still have holes to patch—especially in the outfield after Nimmo’s departure. Prospects like Carson Benge could get a look, or the front office may seek reinforcements via trade or free agency. The infield, at least, looks set for a youth movement, with Baty, Mauricio, Acuña, and Vientos all vying for playing time.
As the dust settles, it’s clear this trade marks the end of an era in Queens and the start of something new for both organizations. The A’s get their veteran infielder, while the Mets continue to bet on youth and flexibility. Only time will tell which side comes out ahead, but for now, both clubs are moving full speed into a new chapter.
