McNeil Returns to New York Amid Recent Trade

Jeff McNeil made his first appearance in New York on Tuesday since being traded to the Athletics in December. Interestingly, he’s more focused on the upcoming series with the Mets than the current matchup against the Yankees.

“I noticed this when I was traded to the A’s. Coming back to New York this early in the year is a nice touch,” McNeil shared before the A’s 5-3 loss to the Yankees in the Bronx. “These three games feel like regular road games, but heading to Citi Field will be different. There’s definitely going to be some emotion.”

McNeil’s return to New York will be on Friday, with the A’s spending the week almost entirely in the city.

While he expects to see many familiar faces in Queens, he also recognizes that some have also moved on this offseason, just like he did.

In addition to McNeil, the Mets traded Brandon Nimmo to Texas, bringing in Marcus Semien, and had previously reacquired Pete Alonso only to send him to Baltimore in free agency. The departure of closer Edwin Diaz to the Dodgers was another significant change for the Mets, despite efforts to retain him.

“There are a lot of new players on that side,” McNeil remarked. “Quite a few long-time faces are gone. It’s a bit wild to see, but that’s how it goes. I’m just glad to be an A now.”

McNeil described the transition as “crazy.” He said, “It’s just being traded. After spending seven years with the Mets, it was unexpected. I mean, I’ve been in trade talks every single year. You never truly know what to expect, and then it finally happened… I had a great time there. I have nothing bad to say about the organization. Now, I really love it here with the A’s. We have a fantastic group, and it’s enjoyable.”

However, the A’s have had a rocky start as they play in a minor league park while waiting to move to Las Vegas. They dropped their first four games and five of their first six but managed to win a series against the Astros.

As for McNeil, he has faced challenges early on. He has one hit in 13 at-bats with six strikeouts but did manage to hit in four consecutive games following a performance that included two hits and one RBI in three attempts. Despite his struggles, he’s looking for his first extra-base hit, after consistently hitting over 20 doubles and achieving double-digit home runs in the last three seasons.

One major thing feels different for him now: “This is a minor league park,” McNeil noted regarding his biggest adjustment. “They’ve really improved the locker room, and the amenities are solid. Just, there’s not enough seating for fans.”