While pitching is the main area of focus for the Athletics this offseason, they shored up one of their few remaining needs on the position-player side on Monday by acquiring infielder/outfielder Jeff McNeil from the Mets in exchange for right-hander Yordan Rodriguez.
The A’s will also receive $5.75 million from New York, a source told MLB.com, to help cover the cost of McNeil’s contract, which has one year and $17.75 million remaining. To clear a spot for McNeil on the 40-man roster, the A’s designated left-hander Ken Waldichuk for assignment.
TRADE DETAILS
A's receive: INF/OF Jeff McNeil, cash
Mets receive: Minor League RHP Yordan Rodriguez
The A’s expect to have one of the better offenses in baseball next season on the strength of a core featuring American League Rookie of the Year Nick Kurtz, Jacob Wilson, Brent Rooker, Shea Langeliers, Tyler Soderstrom and Lawrence Butler. Still, second base and third base were two spots they entered this winter exploring opportunities to upgrade.
As opposed to the rather inexperienced options that were currently on the A’s roster, McNeil, who will turn 34 on April 8, is a proven commodity. The 2022 MLB batting champion is a career .284/.351/.428 hitter across his eight Major League seasons, all of which have come with the Mets. McNeil hit .243 with 12 homers in 122 games this past season.
The $5.75 million from the Mets leaves the A’s responsible for $10 million of McNeil’s salary for 2026. His $15.75 million club option for 2027 also includes a $2 million buyout, which the Mets would pay if the option is not exercised.
McNeil fits the mold of the type of player the A’s value highly. He’s versatile, providing solid defense at all three outfield spots in addition to second base. His contact skills also remain elite -- McNeil’s 16.6% whiff rate and 11.9% strikeout rate both ranked near the top 90 percent of hitters in the Majors.
Rodriguez, 17, was fairly new to the organization, having signed with the A’s out of Cuba this past January right after the opening of the international signing period for $400,000. He did not rank among the A’s Top 30 prospects.
The addition of McNeil alongside shortstop Wilson gives the A’s a double-play combo that could also be one of the more pesky 1-2 punches in baseball. McNeil struck out 55 times in 462 plate appearances last season, while Wilson punched out just 39 times in 523 plate appearances.
The A’s could still look to add a third baseman, but McNeil likely gives them more comfort in heading into Spring Training with younger players such as Darell Hernaiz, Max Muncy and Brett Harris vying for that spot should the offseason end up that way. Monday’s trade also further clouds the outlook for second baseman Zack Gelof, who could miss the start of Spring Training as he is currently rehabbing from a dislocated left shoulder.