The Mets jettisoned another core player as part of their retooling, trading second baseman Jeff McNeil to the Athletics on Monday for minor league right-hander Yordan Rodriguez in a deal that left pitcher David Peterson as their longest-tenured player.
New York will send up to $7.75 million to the A’s to offset some of the $17.75 million remaining in McNeil’s $50 million, four-year contract.
McNeil follows Pete Alonso, Brandon Nimmo and Edwin Díaz in departing the underperforming Mets, who failed to reach the playoffs this year despite the second-highest payroll behind the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers.
McNeil, who turns 34 in April, made his Mets debut and won the NL batting title with a .326 average in 2022, when he was picked for his second All-Star team. He hit .243 with 12 homers and 54 RBIs in 122 games this year, when he made his season debut on April 25 after recovering from a strained right oblique.
He has a $15.75 million salary next year as part of a deal that includes a $15.75 million team option for 2027 with a $2 million buyout. The Mets will send the A’s $5.75 million with another $2 million payment conditionally included if McNeil’s option is declined.
Rodriguez, who turns 18 on Jan. 29, signed with the A’s for a $400,000 bonus this past January and went 2-0 with a 2.93 ERA in one start and seven relief appearances for the Dominican Summer League A’s. He struck out 20 and walked eight in 15 1/3 innings.
Peterson made his Mets debut in 2020. If he is traded, New York’s longest-tenured player who be shortstop Francisco Lindor, acquired before the 2021 season.
New York has added closer Devin Williams,infielder Jorge Polanco and Gold Glove second baseman Marcus Semien, and the Mets have a pending deal with free agent reliever Luke Weaver.
The A’s designated left-hander Ken Waldichuk for assignment.
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AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum contributed to this report.
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