Jeff McNeil may no longer be the same hitter who lit up the league in 2019, but his story is far from over-and his value, while different now, is still very real.
Back in 2019, McNeil was a force. A .318 average, 23 homers, and a .916 OPS made him one of the most productive bats in the National League.
He followed that up with another .300-plus season in 2020 before injuries slowed him down in 2021. But just when the whispers started-questions about whether his best days were behind him-he answered with authority.
In 2022, McNeil not only earned a starting nod at second base in the All-Star Game, he also captured the MLB batting title with a .326 average. That wasn’t just a bounce-back-it was a statement.
Fast forward to 2025, and while the high batting average days may be in the rearview mirror, McNeil’s versatility has kept him relevant. At 33, he took on the challenge of playing center field-a position he hadn’t previously called home-and handled it with surprising competence.
In fact, there were stretches where he was the Mets' best option out there. That kind of defensive flexibility is rare, especially for a player who’s already logged significant time at second base, third base, and both corner outfield spots.
With Pete Alonso now out of the picture, McNeil was even considered as a potential fill-in at first base heading into 2026. That tells you a lot about how the Mets view his adaptability, even if the bat hasn't been what it once was.
Still, the Mets made a move. President of baseball operations David Stearns opted to explore trade possibilities, ultimately deciding that moving McNeil could help free up a roster spot. It’s a business decision, but also one that opens the door for McNeil to get a fresh start elsewhere.
It’s no secret that there have been rumblings of tension between McNeil and Francisco Lindor dating back to 2021. Whether that played a role here is hard to say definitively, but it’s clear the past two seasons have been tough for McNeil.
Between injuries and inconsistency at the plate, he hit just .241 with a .718 OPS over that span. And yet, even in the midst of those struggles, one thing remained remarkably consistent: his ability to avoid strikeouts.
His strikeout rate stayed under 15% across both seasons, a testament to his contact-first approach and baseball IQ.
So while the numbers might not jump off the page like they once did, McNeil’s profile still offers value-especially for a team looking for a steady glove, a versatile defender, and a veteran presence who knows how to grind through adversity. A new uniform might just be what he needs to reset and remind everyone what he’s capable of.