Jeff McNeil can save the NY Mets a trade deadline overpay if he gets a little help

All things considered, the Jeff McNeil experiment in center field hasn’t been so bad. Finding a center fielder who can play Gold Glove defense and hit regularly isn’t easy. You take one or the other. Lately, in his part-time role as the co-center fielder alongside Tyrone Taylor, McNeil has been doing plenty of hitting.

Atrocious defense from the most versatile Mets player on the roster was the concern among many when the team announced he’d be playing the position at times upon being activated from the IL. He’s no wizard out there, but if he’s going to mash like he has, the situation isn’t so bad to stick with.

Here’s the thing. McNeil regularly in center field only works if someone else can step up and give the team consistency at second base. Between Luisangel Acuna, Brett Baty, and Ronny Mauricio who could be seeing less time at third base upon Mark Vientos’ return, someone needs to deliver to give the Mets some trade deadline salvation.

The Mets could use more offense in center field, but it only works if they have stability at second base as well

Abundant second base options for the Mets, none of the kids have shown enough to the point where they look like a permanent fixture at the position. Sure, Acuna plays the position well. Baty has improved (somewhat). Mauricio could probably handle himself there as well, but right now is more important as a third baseman. The Mets can get away with a lighter bat at the position with McNeil raking as a center fielder. Even with the eventual return of Jose Siri, we shouldn’t completely write-off seeing McNeil play the position more if one of these youngsters proves himself.

The Mets have more complicated roster decisions to make in the coming weeks than they might like to admit. Although the abundance of starting pitching options is at the forefront for many, deciding which position players to stick with (and who to demote, trade, or release) is going to be an ongoing story through the trade deadline.

McNeil’s unexpected surge and ability to play multiple positions will allow the Mets to think twice about spending prospect assets on acquiring an offense upgrade in center field. It’s a position plenty of teams would like to improve if possible. The price, even on an underperforming player, is going to be steep.

One solution is always to use one of these infielders in a swap for a truer center fielder than McNeil. We also shouldn’t forego the thought of Siri or Taylor being trade bait themselves. The Mets began the year with essentially six outfielders (including Starling Marte and Jesse Winker). There isn’t as great of a need for that many, especially when someone like McNeil can play all three positions.

A month and a half to go before the trade deadline, McNeil’s acceptable defense in center field can have the ball club thinking less directly about what they actually need to do before August 1. They could use a center fielder, but if just one of these young players can do what they need to, it’s time to redraw the blueprints.