Reese Kaplan: Is 2024 the Final Mets Season for Jeff McNeil?

Earlier in the year many people were considering becoming Uber drivers to offer the backsliding Jeff McNeil transportation out of town to whatever new baseball stadium might have been seeking his services.  

Besides the embarrassment of admitting the long term deal was overpriced and ill advised, there was not going to be a long line of takers for someone hovering on the right side of the Mendoza line but not by very much.

Then all of the sudden Jeff McNeil started playing more like Jeff McNeil.  He was hitting for power, driving the ball, making better swings and raised his batting average up to a still mediocre but not laughable .236.  Now considering he won the batting title by reaching .326 for the 2022 season, he followed it up with a 56 point drop in 2023 and now he’s still looking at a 34 point deficit in 2024.

For a career .290 hitter, this recent trend is not good and now that he’s reached age 32 he may not achieve the offensive highlights that once came so easily to him.

On the contract side, McNeil earns $10.25 million this year but beginning next year it jumps by $5 million to $15.25 million due in 2025 and again in 2026.  For 2027 he would get the same or must be paid a $2 million buyout.  So if you’re thinking about making a trade, you’re going to have to sweeten the pot quite a bit between paying down the salary or adding other warm bodies to entice someone hoping his versatility in the field and his ability to get on base is going to make him a positive addition to the roster. 

From the Mets perspective, they’re not quite sure what to do with the man.  Some days he plays his customary spot at second base.  Other days he is in one of the corner outfield slots.  Granted, with Starling Marte having missed a large chunk of the season it was necessary to move McNeil to the outfield more often than had been planned.  

None of the others who were tried out there — D.J. Stewart, Tyrone Taylor, Ben Gamel or Jesse Winker — have established themselves as productive.  With Jose Iglesias hitting .333 it has enabled the Mets to use the best of the rest in McNeil but as an outfielder he’s not ideal until the batting average jumps at least 50 points. 

Behind McNeil in the minors you have a bevy of youngsters who are chomping at the bit to get to the big club.  Brett Baty is probably the most familiar name to Mets fans followed closely by recovering Ronny Mauricio.  You also have Luisangel Acuna probably ready to advance as well.  

Jett Williams has lost pretty much a full year to injury but he’s on deck behind them as well. 

So the question for the Mets is what would it take to bundle McNeil in a trade that would be interesting enough for another club to show interest?  Take for example a 50% paydown of McNeil’s salary, then add in some players like Tylor Megill who is out of options, Kevin Parada who will not be supplanting Francisco Alvarez and perhaps one more prime level prospect.  That kind of combination of reduced payroll obligation and future players could entice someone to take a bite. 

From the Mets side you’re probably looking at major league relief pitchers, a starting pitcher or minor league options for the future.  The thing to remember is that David Stearns was not here for the good times and only has witnessed the 2024 struggles up close.  He therefore likely has little loyalty to keeping McNeil around with others including Iglesias and the minor leaguers available to take his spot in the starting lineup. 

Is it time for the Mets to let the kids play in 2025 or do you keep holding out hope that McNeil will again approach his career .290 batting average?