TL;DR
- Jeff McNeil's role with the New York Mets is less defined after the Marcus Semien trade.
- The Seattle Mariners and Pittsburgh Pirates are interested in acquiring Jeff McNeil.
- McNeil showed a bounce-back season in 2025 with improved hitting metrics and value.
- He offers versatility and consistent contact, fitting needs for both Mariners and Pirates.
The outlook for Jeff McNeil's tenure with the New York Mets grew significantly more defined when the club traded for Marcus Semien. Second base appears secured, Brett Baty remains a possibility, and McNeil’s path to everyday work has been reduced to a few versatile players. Consequently, competing organizations have started to show interest.
The New York Post named the Seattle Mariners and the Pittsburgh Pirates as the most interesting possible landing spots for the 33-year-old.
McNeil remains more than a veteran spare part.
He quietly bounced back in 2025, batting.243/.335/.411 with 12 dingers and a 111 WRC+ over 462 plate appearances. FanGraphs data shows a comeback of his characteristic low strikeout percentage (15.1%) and respectable walk percentage (10.4%), while Baseball Savant’s profile points to one positive development: his line-drive percentage and hard-hit rate both improved after a couple of less successful seasons. He accumulated 2.1 WAR in 2025 — output that remains valuable.
He's heading into the last guaranteed season of his four-year, $50 million extension, featuring a club choice for 2027. Despite some medical questions following his underwent thoracic outlet surgery,, the anticipation is that he'll be prepared for spring training.
Why the Mariners Fit
Seattle requires one additional element beyond strength: consistent player availability and roster continuity supporting Julio Rodriguez and Cal Raleigh. The Mariners concluded last season with a 112 team WRC+ but still encountered difficulties with striking out frequently in the latter part of the lineup. McNeil offers them a regular player at the second base position and backup in left field or as a designated hitter. His ability to get on base, his left-handed hitting, and his versatility in multiple positions fit perfectly with the way Seattle has constructed its team. Furthermore, unlike his situation in Queens, he would have a clear opportunity to be a starter.
The Rationale Behind the Pirates' Potential Further Moves
Pittsburgh recorded MLB’s lowest OPS (.655) in 2025, and the batting order following Bryan Reynolds and Oneil Cruz still needs established hitters who make consistent contact. McNeil addresses that need right away. He serves as a transitional player, offering veteran reliability while the Pirates keep rotating prospects through their infield and corner outfield positions. The financial commitment is significant for a team mindful of its budget, but he provides precisely what they're missing: a professional plate appearance that extends the lineup and elevates their performance level.
