Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
The New York Mets announced their four-year extension with 2022 batting champ Jeff McNeil on Tuesday morning. The Mets will hold a press conference on Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. ET with McNeil at Citi Field.
The four-year, $50 million extension will keep McNeil with the Mets through the 2026 season, and has a club option for the 2027 season as well. The option for 2027 is at $15.75 million with a $2 million buyout.
Contract details:
- 2023: $6.25M
- 2024: $10.25M
- 2025: $15.75M
- 2026: $15.75M
- The Mets have a $15.75 million option for 2027 with a $2 million buyout.
Bonus details:
- $100,000 for winning the World Series MVP
- $50,000 for League Championship Series MVP, Gold Glove, Silver Slugger or All-Star team
- $500,000 assignment bonus if traded (paid by receiving team)
“We are thrilled for Jeff and his family,” Mets owner Steve Cohen said in a statement. “It feels like he hasn’t stopped hitting since he lined a single in his first at-bat at Citi Field five years ago. We are especially proud that Jeff worked his way through our organization over the last decade to become a homegrown star and that he has chosen to extend our partnership.”
McNeil carved out a stellar 2022 season in which he won the batting title leading the major leagues with his .326 batting average. In doing so, the 30-year-old became only the second player in franchise history to win a batting title since Jose Reyes accomplished the feat in 2011 and the first Met to ever lead the majors in batting average for a season.
He slashed .326/.382/.454/.836 with 62 RBI and a 5.7 WAR. McNeil also finished 2022 with an OPS+ of 140, while he hit .336 with an OPS of .806 with runners in scoring position. Since 2018, there have only been five players who have played at least 500 games and posted a batting average over .300 in that span. McNeil is one of them.
Plus, the Mets really value McNeil’s versatility. He made 106 appearances at second base – where he’ll primarily feature in 2023 – and also 47 outings at the corners and in the outfield. The ability to play multiple positions, coupled with his habit of making highlight-reel plays with the glove, makes McNeil a versatile weapon.
“Jeff was a big part of our success last season,” Mets GM Billy Eppler said. “He has truly elite bat-to-ball skill, which has been the foundation of his strong offensive performance throughout his career. On the other side of the ball, his ability to play infield and outfield at a high level adds valuable flexibility to our roster. We’re thrilled to have him here for years to come.”
