Mets’ Offseason Plans Amidst Recent Trade

Following the surprising trade of Brandon Nimmo that brought Marcus Semien to the team, Mets manager David Stearns shared that he remains uncertain about the next steps for the club. He mentioned that “anything is realistic right now” regarding their offseason spending and emphasized a desire to keep both Pete Alonso and Edwin Diaz with the organization.

Specifically, Stearns is looking for ways to ensure that Jeff McNeil, who has been significantly impacted by this trade, along with Luisangel Acuña, Ronnie Mauricio, and other prospects making their way to the majors, can find meaningful roles on the team next season.

Since debuting in 2018, McNeil has played 584 games as a second baseman, showcasing his versatility in various positions, but he’s primarily been at second base for the last eight seasons.

If McNeil remains with the Mets, things will definitely feel different next year, especially with the addition of a Gold Glove-winning second baseman.

In a conversation with McNeil on Sunday, Stearns noted that McNeil still “wants to be a part of this effort.” However, it’s worth mentioning that McNeil, at 33 years old and with a contract worth $15.75 million next season before a club option for 2027, might be seen as expendable. On the flip side, he could also return and fill in wherever there’s a gap.

Stearns pointed out that there are open positions on the team, including second base, first base—especially since Alonso is a free agent—and left field.

“I think Jeff still has the ability to impact the team in a lot of different ways because of his positional versatility,” Stearns remarked in a Monday Zoom call. “However, we’ll probably need to see how the rest of the offseason unfolds to determine the specifics.”

And it’s not just McNeil facing this uncertainty; the Mets have a suddenly crowded infield. Brett Batty is anticipated to shift back to third base, while Acuña and Mauricio performed well last season but might still struggle to secure regular starting positions, even with a strong spring.

Mauricio has an option in the minors, which gives him less urgency compared to Acuña, who does not. Acuña has also dabbled in outfield play.

Then there’s Jett Williams, the team’s No. 3 prospect. It looks like he might not see playing time for the next few years due to the depth at second base and competition for positions, particularly because Francisco Lindor occupies shortstop.

Alongside Acuña, Mauricio, and Williams, Stearns is banking on players’ versatility.

“We are confident that these players can handle multiple positions and perform well,” Stearns said. “We don’t think this acquisition will hinder anyone’s progress.”

The Mets currently have two vacant spots in the outfield. Stearns mentioned candidates like Tyrone Taylor, McNeil, Williams, and Carson Benge for those roles.

“There are also external acquisition opportunities, and we have plenty of offseason ahead,” Stearns concluded. “We plan to stay active in various ways to bring in new talent.”