New York Mets second baseman Jeff McNeil. (Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports)
The Mets locked All-Star infielder Jeff McNeil into a four-year contract extension, avoiding arbitration and keeping the NL batting champion in Queen.
Steve Cohen and the New York Mets continue to make moves this offseason aimed at reaching the ultimate goal of a World Series. The latest involves reigning NL batting champion Jeff McNeil.
McNeil and the Mets agreed to a four-year contract extension worth $50 million, with a fifth-year club option that could take the extension to $63.75 million, per Jeff Passan of ESPN.
The deal will keep McNeil out of an offseason arbitration battle while also solidifying his place at second base in New York for years to come.
Mets sign Jeff McNeil to four-year contract extension
McNeil grabbed his second All-Star nod in 2022 with outstanding efficiency at the plate. He led all major leaguers with a batting average of .326, proving even more effective at putting his bat on the ball with an average of .336 and an OPS of .806 with runners in scoring position.
He’s clearly not a power hitter with nine home runs on the year, but his 39 doubles in 2022 helped net him 62 RBI. His career-high 40 walks also helped him set the stage for others in the lineup.
Positional versatility has been another major plus for McNeil with the Mets. He spent most of his time at second base last season but he has also been called upon in left field and right field as well as third base and shortstop. He can play just about anywhere in a pinch.
With all that in mind, an extension for the soon-to-be 31-year-old just made sense. He would have been arbitration-eligible for the next two years as well. So New York is taking a slight financial hit now that’ll likely mean saving money down the line while also keeping McNeil for an extra two, if not three, years.
The Mets were already considered one of the winners of the offseason. This move only adds to that perception.