Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Mets second baseman Jeff McNeil is back in Queens.
The All-Star posted a story to his Instagram profile of the Mets home stadium, indicating he’s at the facility.
Jeff McNeil at @CitiField. pic.twitter.com/66R1K4rQXC
— Metsmerized Online (@Metsmerized) January 23, 2023
With pitchers and catchers not due to report for another few weeks and spring training down in Florida, is it possible the Mets and McNeil are working through contract talks?
McNeil and the Mets were unable to reach an agreement on a contract for the 2023 season and are now going to arbitration. McNeil asked for $7.75 million for the season, the Mets offered him $6.25 million. Arbitration hearings don’t begin until Jan. 30.
There is a way for the Mets and McNeil to avoid arbitration altogether and that’s a contract extension. McNeil has been a lifelong Met, making his debut with the team in 2018. He has one more year of arbitration remaining on his current contract and will be an unrestricted free agent in 2025 when he’ll be 33.
McNeil is certainly deserving of a raise. A two-time All-Star, including last year, he’s been at the core of the Mets offensive success the last four seasons. He bounced back from a poor 2021 showing by leading the league in batting average in 2022.
McNeil certainly seems excited to come back to New York. While appearing on MLB Network Radio he had this to say.
“I know losing deGrom is going to hurt a little bit, but we’re replacing him with Verlander, who’s just as good,” he said. “I’m really looking forward to that. And losing Bassitt is going to be tough, but we’ve brought in some pretty incredible pitchers. I think our pitching staff may’ve gotten even better. I’m looking forward to playing behind them, and having other new teammates as well. I’m looking forward to getting after it.”
McNeil is ready to take this revamped Mets team to the playoffs again. Hopefully, they’ll get farther than the Wild Card round.
“I think it was a good taste for all of us,” McNeil said. “A lot of the guys on that team haven’t played too much playoff baseball. So I think we’re gonna learn from that and build on that and take it into this year.”
