Mets will need to trade Jeff McNeil for any shot at a non-free agent superstar

The dream of the New York Mets acquiring a star player via trade isn’t so fantastic with the realization that it would cost them Jeff McNeil.

Before I get Molotov cocktails thrown at me, let’s make it clear that I don’t want the New York Mets to trade Jeff McNeil. I love .300 hitters with power and defensive versatility almost as much as I adore animals. The fact that his nickname is the Flying Squirrel puts him even higher on my list of people I admire.

I’m also realistic. I know we can’t fool a general manager who slaved for two decades to get to where he is into accepting anything less in exchange for his superstar player.

When the topic of big trades for superstar players come up, if you’re not including McNeil in the deal, you’re giving Brodie Van Wagenen too much credit. He’s a former agent, not a current wizard.

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McNeil is an intriguing piece any team would want. He’s cheap, talented, and probably prepared to sign a team-friendly extension at any moment.

In any trade discussions Van Wagenen had this winter, his name surely came up. While I don’t think he’s a must to include in a deal for someone of Starling Marte’s level, the next tier up will need McNeil as part of the deal.

The Cleveland Indians were reportedly only interested in proceeding with talks of moving Francisco Lindor if the Mets were willing to part with McNeil in the trade. They weren’t. And thankfully, he’s still calling Flushing his baseball home for now.

The Indians aren’t the only ones who would do this. With Nolan Arenado’s name on the tips of everyone’s tongue, he is another guy the Mets would undoubtedly need to surrender their most dangerous secret weapon to acquire.

McNeil has yet to reach superstar status like these men. He has the tools to do so. Even if he falls short, he’s a piece every single team could use.

This is a challenge I think Van Wagenen will face over the next year or two in attempting to acquire a big-name player via trade. McNeil’s name will come up. When BVW puts the untouchable label on him, the conversation will end.

It’s amazing that only two years ago this minor leaguer nobody really knew about has become a coveted trade piece. He could hypothetically become the headliner in a deal for a more established star, but why fix what ain’t broken?

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McNeil is a multi-tool player who can just as easily hit leadoff as he can slot in as the clean-up hitter. He’s made of liquid and fits into the correct shape wherever his team needs. There are 29 other teams out there who know this. Each realizes the only way they’re giving away their own big piece is if the Mets part with this uniquely talented athlete.