Mets Trade Jeff McNeil to A’s in a Cost-Cutting Move - But the Ripples Could Reach the AL East
Just days before Christmas, the Mets made a move that signals more than just a roster shake-up - it’s a clear sign of a franchise in transition. Veteran utilityman Jeff McNeil is headed to the Oakland Athletics in what amounts to a salary dump, with New York sending $5.75 million to help offset his $15.75 million salary and agreeing to pay his $2 million buyout if his 2027 option isn’t picked up. In return, the Mets receive right-handed pitching prospect Yordan Rodriguez.
This isn’t just about McNeil, though. It’s about the broader vision David Stearns and owner Steve Cohen are executing in Queens - one that’s starting to look like a full-scale teardown of the previous era’s core. The writing was already on the wall with the departures of other familiar names, and now McNeil joins that list.
Yes, McNeil had his moments in Flushing. And yes, there’s always emotion tied to homegrown players.
But the reality is that the Mets’ core - McNeil, Pete Alonso, Brandon Nimmo, Edwin Díaz - never got over the hump. Outside of a surprise NLCS run in 2024, the group didn’t deliver the postseason success fans hoped for.
What Stearns is doing now may not be flashy, but it’s deliberate. It’s about reshaping the roster with a long-term view.
And here’s where things get interesting - especially if you’re watching from the Bronx.
While the Yankees have taken a more cautious approach to retooling, often opting for incremental changes rather than sweeping overhauls, the Mets’ boldness could end up helping their crosstown counterparts. By shedding salary and creating financial flexibility, the Mets are positioning themselves for a potential splash - one that could disrupt the plans of several AL East rivals.
Let’s talk about Alex Bregman.
The Mets have been linked to the veteran third baseman, and while nothing’s imminent, the dots are starting to connect. With trade rumors swirling around Mark Vientos and money now freed up, Bregman becomes a logical target. He’s playoff-tested, he fills a position of need, and he brings the kind of edge that could help reshape the team’s identity.
Now, Bregman landing in Queens might not thrill Yankees fans, but if it means the Red Sox - who are reportedly in the mix - miss out, that’s a win in the Bronx. Boston has already been active this winter, adding Willson Contreras, Jovan Oviedo, and Sonny Gray.
Bregman would be a major coup for them - the kind of addition that could shift the balance in the division. If the Mets can swoop in and block that move, it’s a play that benefits the Yankees, even if indirectly.
It’s not just Bregman, either. The Mets are in position to chase other top-tier free agents, including starting pitchers who could just as easily end up in Boston or Toronto.
Every signing the Mets make that pulls a name off the board is one fewer option for an AL East rival. That kind of subtraction matters.
And while the Yankees' offseason has been relatively quiet, that doesn’t mean they’re not watching the board carefully. With limited targets left, the moves the Mets make could have a ripple effect that shapes the rest of the winter.
There’s also been chatter about Kyle Tucker and Cody Bellinger, and while the Yankees would prefer to avoid seeing Bellinger land in Boston, a Mets signing there could again serve as a buffer. The Mets getting better might not be ideal for New York bragging rights, but let’s be honest - the Subway Series isn’t the rivalry some make it out to be.
The Yankees are focused on chasing championships. The Mets?
They’re still trying to build a consistent contender.
Since 1986, the Mets have made it to the World Series three times. The Yankees’ trophy case tells a different story. So while some fans might bristle at the idea of the Mets making waves, the bigger concern is what those moves mean for the teams standing in the Yankees’ way.
If Bregman does land in Queens, it could be a favor to agent Scott Boras, who worked closely with the Yankees last winter on the Juan Soto deal. That kind of relationship-building can go both ways.
And yes, it might sting for Yankees fans to watch a top free agent head to the other side of town, but if it keeps him out of Boston? That’s a trade-off many would take.
Besides, the Mets have a history with big contracts. Not all of them age well. So if they want to roll the dice again, the Yankees - and their fans - might be just fine watching from across the river.