New York Mets sign Jeff McNeil to Contract Extension
The 2022 batting champion is here to stay in the Queens. Jeff McNeil and the New York Mets agreed on a five-year, $50 million extension. The contract contains a club option for a fifth season, which could allow the extension to max out at $63.75 million.
Jeff Passan of ESPN was first to break the news.
McNeil, who will turn 31 this spring, was set to undergo an arbitration trial before the extension. The Mets offered $6.25 million, while McNeil requested $7.75 million. Instead, the extension will cover the remaining two years of arbitration and the first three of his free agency window.
The deal was a lot easier to get done considering McNeil would be 33 years old if he became a free agent. Teams around the league have also been shy of rewarding contact hitters, despite the Marlins recently trading for Luis Arraez.
He doesn’t need power numbers for that very reason. In 2,039 career plate appearances, McNeil has only struck out 242 times with a career .307 batting average. Like Arraez, they’ve built their own value from traditional contact and on-base percentage. 2022 was an obvious success for the batting champion, who batted .326/.382/.454 with 39 doubles, nine home runs, and 62 RBIs. McNeil also only struck out 61 times.
McNeil’s versatility adds to his value. He mostly played second base last season, but his ability to play the corner outfield and even some third base and shortstop add to the cause. Between the batting and versatility, McNeil played a huge role in the Mets’ 101 win season.
For the Mets, this extension continues to show owner Steve Cohen is ready to win. Their projected payroll is $467 million, which would be the new MLB record by a landslide. Cohen has already made comments about going all in for two-way star Shohei Ohtani next offseason as well.
This contract is great for both the Mets and McNeil. It gives the Mets an elite contact hitter at the top of their order and gives McNeil guaranteed money at an older age. Either way, McNeil will be part of the Mets’ championship push.
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