The New York Mets didn’t just shock the league by sending Brandon Nimmo to Texas for Marcus Semien — they also set up the next move. Semien is the everyday second baseman now, and his arrival pushes one name straight to the front of the trade block: Jeff McNeil.
This isn’t speculation coming from only one place. It lines up directly with what Jim Bowden and Jim Duquette discussed on MLB Network Radio’s Power Alley, where they noted the Mets have been studying the Blue Jays’ roster model: keep a tight, athletic infield core, then flip the extra infielders for pitching when the market breaks open. New York’s current surplus makes McNeil the clearest movable piece.
McNeil is owed $15.75 million for 2026, a hefty number for a player without a defined position. Versatility kept him on the field last year — second base, all three outfield spots, DH — but when Semien takes over the keystone, the Mets’ depth chart gets crowded fast. That’s why league execs immediately connected McNeil to pitching-needy teams such as the Mariners, Brewers, Angels, and Cubs. If the Mets eat some salary, a deal becomes even more realistic.
Behind Semien, the Mets’ youth movement adds more urgency. Luisangel Acuna and Ronny Mauricio could both bounce between Triple-A and the big leagues again. Brett Baty finally gets a real shot to hold down third base. Mark Vientos may slide into a first base/DH mix depending on Pete Alonso’s future. And Jett Williams and Jacob Reimer are expected to press the issue by midseason.
That’s why McNeil sits at the center of this roster reshuffle. His bat has been roughly league average over the last three seasons. His defensive value now narrows mostly to second base. And at age 34, the decline risk is very real for any club considering taking on his full paycheck.
A trade feels like the most logical outcome. If Power Alley’s logic stands, if the Mets want to follow the Blue Jays’ model, McNeil is the first domino. And if New York packages its infield depth for pitching, he may be gone sooner than later.
