NY Mets rumors: Now we know which team checked in on Jeff McNeil, other infielders

It was a busy night for baseball with a flurry of trades coming around midnight. The New York Mets made their aggressive moves earlier in the day by acquiring Tyler Rogers and Ryan Helsley in an attempt to build a super bullpen. Not many Mets rumors revealed much, but one came after the fact involving the Houston Astros.

Already known to be fielding calls on their infielders and even Jeff McNeil, what wasn’t known is exactly which teams were circling. According to the NY Post’s Joel Sherman, the Astros were the ones who inquired about McNeil and had some level of interest in the acquisition of Brett Baty or Ronny Mauricio.

McNeil’s name in trade talks is nothing new. But it’s good to put a team logo to the interest for potential other deals in the future or maybe a last-second shot in the next 12 hours or so.

The Astros landed their third baseman and yet they have room for one of these Mets infielders anyway

Put a righty on the mound and go to work. That seems to be a recipe for success looking at the Astros lineup. Minus Yordan Alvarez at the moment, they lack a left-handed threat. In fact, the only two lefties on the roster are Taylor Trammell and Jacob Melton. Both outfielders, we should expect the team to seek out some additional help before 6pm EST.

Houston acquired Ramon Urias from the Baltimore Orioles to become a new third base option. An injury to Isaac Paredes, a right-handed hitter, had them in need for an infield upgrade. Urias also happens to bat right-handed, leaving the team with a lack of balance.

The Mets have no such problem. Baty and McNeil hit left-handed. Mauricio is a switch-hitter batting nearly .300 with all of his power coming from the left side. With a bench that currently includes Cooper Hummel (a paper Met who spent a part of the 2023-2024 offseason with the club) and Zack Short whom we can’t forget, there is clearly space for any of these bats still. The issue is what do the Astros have to offer the Mets of any value?

The Mets managed to revamp their bullpen without giving up any of their young major league infielders or untouchable prospects. They could find room for an additional reliever (with minor league options) but that would feel like an undersell of any of these players. A McNeil trade was always very unlikely. Other than the inclusion of Baty, Mauricio, or even Luisangel Acuna or Mark Vientos in a swap for Luis Robert Jr., it feels like they’re going to stay put.

At least we know, perhaps for future knowledge, which team to keep an eye on.