2 trade targets, 1 free agent NY Mets fans might rather see at 2B than Jeff McNeil

New York Mets utility man Jeff McNeil is coming off a solid rebound campaign. He hit .243/.335/.411 with a .324 wOBA and 111 wRC+ over 462 plate appearances this season. McNeil put up a .168 isolated slugging percentage, leaning heavily into pulled flyballs. The veteran continued to strikeout at a lowly 11.9% rate, but also put up a career-best 10.6% walk rate. However, moving forward, Mets fans may want to see McNeil in a reduced role, or even traded in general, and someone else get regular reps at second base.

2026 will be McNeil’s age-34 season, and he ended the year on a sour note, with a 53 wRC+ in the month of September. Plus, his new approach relies heavily on pulled flyballs, rather than raw power. He was below the 20th percentile of both exit velocity (87.2 MPH) and barrel percentage (5.1%). If the Mets go searching for another second baseman, they should look into these two trade targets and this free agent.

Brendan Donovan would give the Mets plenty of flexibility

Brendan Donovan is about as consistent as you can get. Since breaking into the league with a strong 2022 rookie season, Donovan has become a guarantee to hit about .280 with a wRC+ hovering around 120, and roughly a dozen home runs, with average or better defense at multiple positions. With the St. Louis Cardinals mulling over a rebuild, trading for Donovan could be a big opportunity for the Mets to pick up a strong middle infielder.

Donovan hit .287/.353/.422 with a .337 wOBA, and 119 wRC+ over the course of 515 trips to the plate. He has always struck out at a very low rate, and 2025 was no different, with a 13% K%. On top of that, Donovan regularly puts up a respectable BB%, logging an 8.2% mark this season. While he may never be a huge power threat, Donovan hit 11 home runs in 118 games and put up a .135 isolated slugging percentage. There’s even potential for more pop as well. Donovan had an 89.7 MPH exit velocity and an 8.8% barrel rate. His expected slugging percentage came in at .462, which was in the 67th percentile of qualified hitters in 2025.

Donovan is primarily a second baseman. He graded out as about average with the glove at the keystone, with -2 defensive runs saved, but +2 outs above average. But Donovan is more than familiar with the rest of the diamond. He has logged at least 100 innings at first base, third base, shortstop, left field, and right field. His best position per defensive metrics is the hot corner, where he has +6 DRS and +3 OAA in 269.2 innings.

Donovan has two more years of control left and will be a free agent after the 2027 campaign. Having Donovan on hand would make the Mets’ roster very flexible. Both he and Jeff McNeil could share second base duties and play all over the field when needed. Donovan provides the Mets with many avenues for line-up construction while consistently being a quality bat.