"I knew it was a possibility" - Mets' Jeff McNeil reveals true reason behind getting traded to $1.8B franchise

The New York Mets have traded veteran utility man Jeff McNeil to the Athletics, who are worth $1.8 billion (via Forbes), as their roster shakeup continues. The slugger is a two-time All-Star and was the NL batting champion in 2022.

In exchange, the Mets acquired 17-year-old pitching prospect Yordan Rodriguez. To cover the remaining salary on McNeil's four-year, $50 million contract, the Mets are also sending $5.75 million in cash. McNeil has a club option in 2027 before he becomes a free agent for the 2028 season.

On Tuesday, after the trade was announced, McNeil shared that he talked with the Mets' president of baseball operations, David Stearns, and knew that the club was going in a different direction.

“I had a text from [David] Stearns going, ‘Hey, please give me call… I was like, ‘I 100% just got traded.’ I knew it was a possibility. I took that phone call. It was a quick phone call. I thanked him for everything and he thanked me for everything.” "It seems like the Mets are going in a different direction, so I knew it was a possibility," McNeil added. "I'm super excited to be an A now. Definitely a crazy day yesterday, but I couldn't be happier."

Jeff McNeil became the latest Mets player to leave this offseason. He joins Pete Alonso, Edwin Diaz and Brandon Nimmo.

Mets' David Stearns on Jeff McNeil trade

Jeff McNeil was a homegrown player who has played his entire MLB career since 2018 with the Mets. Over eight seasons with the Mets, the two-time All-Star has slashed .284/.351/.428 with 80 home runs and 367 RBIs.

After the trade, Mets' David Stearns wished McNeil well on his future, acknowledging his contribution to the team and also talked about their latest young pitching acquisition with the help of this trade.

“I want to thank Jeff for his time and contributions to the organization,” Stearns said in a statement, per MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo. “He was drafted by the team and grew up in our system. I wish Jeff and his family success and good luck going forward. We are excited to bring Yordan into our system. He is a young right-hander with a promising future.”

McNeil is now part of the Athletics, who looks forward to seeing him contribute in leadership roles for the young core in the lockerroom.

Edited by Krutik Jain