A bit lost in the shuffle in the wake of Brandon Nimmo getting traded to the Rangers for Marcus Semien, is what it could mean for the Mets future of Jeff McNeil.
McNeil, whom the Mets were open to trading before the Nimmo deal went down, was the regular second baseman for New York in 2025 — playing 79 games there.
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But while McNeil played second base most of the time last season, he also got time at all three outfield spots and even made two appearances at first base.
With McNeil basically blocked at second base by Semien, president of baseball operations David Stearns discussed what his role could be in 2026.
“I think Jeff, by virtue of his positional versatility, still has the ability to impact our team in a variety of ways,” Stearns explained during a Zoom with reporters on Monday. “What exactly that’s going to look like is probably going to have to wait until we watch the rest of the offseason unfold. But certainly his ability to play corner outfield is a help. There may still be days if Semien needs a blow, where he’s playing some second base. We may ask Jeff to play some first base, depending on how the offseason pans out.
“I talked to Jeff yesterday. He understands where we’re headed. I think he wants to be a part of this, and he understands his positional versatility is a real asset for us.”
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Reading between the lines a bit, it seems McNeil — if he remains a Met — might be viewed as a super utility player rather than someone who is a regular.
McNeil underwent a “minor” procedure for thoracic outlet syndrome shortly after the end of the 2025 season.
His agent said that the injury caused McNeil pain when he swung a bat late in the season, and that he is expected to be ready to go for spring training.
McNeil, 33, is owed $15.75 million in 2026 in what is the fourth and final guaranteed year of the deal he signed before the 2023 campaign. The Mets hold a club option for the 2027 season that is worth $15.75 million and contains a $2 million buyout.
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