Oakland Athletics Acquire Jeff McNeil in 2025 Offseason Trade

The New York Mets have officially closed the Jeff McNeil chapter. They’re sending the former batting champ to the Oakland Athletics in a financially intricate deal that says as much about both franchises’ futures as it does about McNeil himself.

The trade marries Oakland’s need for a stabilizing veteran with New York’s determination to trim payroll. The Mets want to get younger and reshape a core that once looked built to contend for a decade.

Mets Send Jeff McNeil to A’s in Cash-Heavy Trade

The headline mechanics are straightforward: the Mets trade longtime infielder/outfielder Jeff McNeil and $5.75 million in cash to the Athletics in exchange for 17-year-old right-hander Yordan Rodriguez. Under the surface, though, there’s a lot of financial nuance and long-term strategy at play for both sides.

New York will also cover the $2 million buyout on McNeil’s $15.75 million club option for 2027 if Oakland declines it. The Athletics will pay $10 million of McNeil’s $15.75 million salary in 2026, so their commitment has a clear ceiling.

Roster Fallout: Waldichuk Designated for Assignment

To open a spot on the 40-man roster, the A’s designated left-hander Ken Waldichuk for assignment. It’s a harsh reality of roster construction—an arm with upside gets pushed aside so Oakland can bet on a proven everyday player who fits their budget-conscious model.

Jeff McNeil: From Mets Core Piece to Rebuild Casualty

McNeil’s departure is more than a simple roster move. It’s a symbolic moment for a franchise that once marketed him as a centerpiece of a long-term core.

Debuting in 2018, McNeil quickly became a fan favorite. His elite bat-to-ball skills and defensive versatility made him a staple in the Mets’ lineup.

This trade arrives as part of a broader Mets teardown. They’ve already seen Brandon Nimmo traded and Pete Alonso and Edwin Díaz leave via free agency.

Under president of baseball operations David Stearns, the Mets are moving away from long commitments to players over 30. Even homegrown stars aren’t immune.

McNeil’s Peak: One of Baseball’s Best Contact Bats

From 2018–22, McNeil was exactly the kind of hitter every front office wants in an era dominated by strikeouts. Over that five-year stretch, he slashed:

He played quality defense at second base and handled third, left, and right field when needed. He became a quiet star whose value went beyond traditional box-score stats.

The Extension, the Decline, and the Health Question

Ironically, McNeil’s downturn started right after he got the security every player chases. He signed a four-year, $50 million extension before the 2023 season, seemingly cementing his Mets status.

Since that extension, McNeil’s bat has regressed toward league average. He’s still been useful — about a two-WAR performer per year thanks to steady defense and flexibility — but he’s no longer the high-contact force who once terrorized pitchers by refusing to swing and miss.

Thoracic Outlet Surgery and Oakland’s Bet

McNeil recently underwent a thoracic outlet procedure, the kind of surgery more common for pitchers than position players. His agent says he’ll be ready for spring training, and the A’s seem to believe it.

Oakland is hoping better health and a set role at second base can unlock something closer to McNeil’s peak. If he’s even a bit above average with plus versatility, this deal could look like a classic low-risk, high-upside play for a team rebuilding on a tight budget.

Why the A’s Wanted McNeil

For the Athletics, this move isn’t just about a name on a jersey. They’ve been cycling through young infielders and role players, looking for a stabilizing presence who can handle everyday work and still allow creative roster mixing.

Oakland sees McNeil as:

Cost-Controlled Upside, Limited Long-Term Risk

The financial structure is tailor-made for a small-market club. Oakland takes on a defined salary window with:

If he thrives, the A’s have a trade chip or a short-term cornerstone. If not, they can move on without being suffocated by long-term money.

What This Trade Says About the Mets’ Future

For the Mets, this deal isn’t really about the teenage arm they’re getting. Yordan Rodriguez, just 17, is a pure upside play—a lottery ticket, honestly, and one that fits today’s obsession with youth, velocity, and projection.

But the bigger story is the shift in philosophy here. Stearns doesn’t want to double down on aging, mid-30s veterans locked into expensive deals.

By shedding McNeil’s future salary (even if they’re eating some of it now), the Mets are making room for younger, more flexible players. They want payroll agility, and this move fits that mindset.

McNeil leaving kind of feels like turning the page. The Mets aren’t trying to squeeze more life out of the last version of their core.

They’re writing something new—even if it means saying goodbye to a player who helped define an era in Queens.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Athletics To Acquire Jeff McNeil