The breaking up of the Mets homegrown core has reportedly continued.
According to ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan, New York has dealt Jeff McNeil to the A’s for pitcher Yordan Rodriguez. Per Passan, the Mets will also send $5.75 million to the A’s as part of the deal, and if his 2027 team option is not exercised, the Mets will pay the $2 million buyout.
McNeil’s game has dipped significantly since winning the NL batting title in 2022, his second All-Star season. after posting a 5.9 WAR in that 2022 season, that number dropped to 2.4 in 2023, a woeful 1.6 in 2024, and 2.0 in 2025. He hit .243 last season with a .746 OPS, and many assumed he would be dealt this offseason.
McNeil’s departure comes after the Mets have already traded Brandon Nimmo to the Rangers, and watched stars in Pete Alonso and Edwin Diaz leave via free agency. Marcus Semien and Jorge Polanco have since been acquired.
Rodriguez is a 17-year-old righty who pitched to a 2.93 ERA in 15.1 innings in the Dominican Summer League.