5 NY Mets players most likely to be traded at this year’s Winter Meetings

4) Jeff McNeil

We can’t talk about Mets trade candidates without mentioning Jeff McNeil, can we? If they’re in the market to trade a potential replacement of his, they should be capable of trading the veteran eating up more of the payroll. The problem for the Mets will be finding a taker willing to return them something reasonable.

It’s practically an annual event to discuss McNeil trades. Even after winning the 2022 batting title, the shift focused to selling him on a high. Instead of a trade, he got a contract extension. Two years remain on it with a third year team option, pulling the trigger on a deal involving McNeil would open up a second base battle for a team that already has a lot of unanswered questions at several other positions.

There hasn’t been a whiff of a Mets rumor to suggest McNeil is actually on the trade block nor would this be a needed move to make simply because of how versatile he is as a defender. His contract goes up to $15.75 million for the rest of the deal. It’s a bargain if he’s winning batting titles. It’s a burden if he’s struggling to bat over .250.

Does a sane fan actually believe McNeil is dealt? It’s wishful thinking for those who’d prefer him out. Sane or not, it won’t stop him from appearing in mock trades.