The New York Yankees have made an impressive pivot away from Juan Soto, who defected to the crosstown rival New York Mets on a new contract for 2025 and beyond. But now the Yankees might turn to the Mets to cap off their own offseason changes.
The Yankees have effectively bolstered their starting rotation with Max Fried, reinforced their bullpen with Devin Williams, filled first base with Paul Goldschmidt and finalized the outfield with Cody Bellinger. But after losing long-time second baseman Gleyber Torres to a new contract with the Detroit Tigers, they seem a little light in the infield.
With that in mind, Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa of Bleeding Yankee Blue proposed a blockbuster trade between the two New York City franchises that would bring veteran Jeff McNeil to the Bronx while sending starting pitcher Marcus Stroman to the Yankees.
“It’s no secret, the Yankees want to get rid of Marcus Stroman,” Ballezza-Ochoa wrote. “The Mets have Jeff McNeil, and also some young talent that they would like to bring up and use instead of McNeil…. It’s a fit for both sides.”
The Yankees could certainly have interest in adding McNeil to their second and third base mix in exchange for Stroman, who projects as their sixth starter in 2025 after the addition of Fried. As a two-time All-Star and former Silver Slugger Award winner who has a career .987 fielding percentage at second base, McNeil would likely get a chance to start at the keystone while Jazz Chisholm Jr. continues to man third base.
But this trade idea wouldn’t do much to ease the Yankees’ payroll for 2025, which is thought to be a primary reason they are looking to move Stroman. After McNeil signed a four-year, $50 million contract with the Mets in 2023, he is owed $15.7 million in 2025 as well as in 2026.
Stroman is owed $18.3 million in 2025, with a strong likelihood of earning another $18.3 million vesting option for 2026 if he holds onto a starting role.
As Bellezza-Ochoa noted, this trade idea could have some legs from the Mets’ perspective as well. Even after the team re-signed Sean Manaea and added free agents Frankie Montas and Clay Holmes, the Mets could use another starter to reinforce the rotation. And they are no strangers to veteran rehab projects, which could suit Stroman after a down 2024 season.
Ultimately, a versatile veteran solution like McNeil seems like the kind of route that appeals to the Yankees as they face questions about their infield ahead of the 2025 season.
“He’s also nice insurance to DJ LeMahieu who is not a viable everyday option,” Bellezza-Ochoa noted. “Strategically, it gives the Yankees a lot of possibilities without spending a ton of money. The Yankees get another infielder (at either position!) that they need, and the Mets get some more pitching.”
Perhaps a win-win could be found between New York City’s rival baseball franchises.
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