Predicting the fates of the team’s top 3 winter trade candidates

Mar 24, 2022; Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA; New York Mets left fielder J.D. Davis (28) watches from
Mar 24, 2022; Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA; New York Mets left fielder J.D. Davis (28) watches from / Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
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Mar 13, 2022; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets infielder Jeff McNeil (1) runs off the field / Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

Jeff McNeil wins back the starting Mets second base job

Jeff McNeil trade talks will continue for longer than his fans would like. However, this season, he wins back the starting second base job and those old thoughts about moving on from him fade away.

Trading McNeil never made much sense. One bad season shouldn’t cause you to lose faith in a player capable of doing so many things well. His versatility is a real weapon the Mets can continue to use. McNeil provides the Mets with options at second base, third base, and in both corner outfield spots. There’s a ton of flexibility there. Why give up now?

The Mets will see the error of their ways in trying to move on from McNeil. This year, we see him play a ton of second base. In the future, that might not necessarily be the case, though. The rise of Ronny Mauricio could push McNeil into one of the corner outfield spots. I never graduated from fortune teller school so I can’t exactly predict how that all plays out. Give me a break. I’m keeping McNeil!

McNeil does play out his contract and eventually leaves the Mets in free agency. The team moves on with someone else at second base and the tribute video when he returns to Citi Field includes a big McNeil postseason hit.