The Pittsburgh Pirates are interested in trading for New York Mets infielder/outfielder Jeff McNeil, according to a report from the New York Post's Jon Heyman.
The 33-year-old McNeil, who has been selected for two All-Star Games and won the 2022 National League batting title, is on the downside of his career. He hit .243/.335/.411 this year with 12 home runs in 122 games.
However, McNeil hits left-handed and would balance the Pirates' righty-heavy lineup for the short term. The Pirates finished last in MLB in runs scored, home runs, and OPS last season.
McNeil is expensive by Pirates' standards as his salary for 2026 is $15.75 million in the final guaranteed year of a four-year, $50-million contract. The contract also includes a $15.75-million club option for 2027 with a $2-million buyout.
However, the Pirates could offset McNeil's salary by sending right-hander Mitch Keller to the Mets in a potential trade, as New York is looking to upgrade its rotation after missing the postseason this year. Keller has three years remaining on a five-year, $77-milllion contract and will make $16.9 million next season, $18.4 million in 2027, and $20.4 million in 2028.
Keller is a veteran anchor to the Pirates' talented and youthful starting rotation and is very popular in the clubhouse. However, he is expendable in an organization rife with pitching.
Industry sources say the Pirates would get more than O'Neil in a potential trade for Keller. One prospect who would interest the Pirates is corner/infielder Jacob Reimer, who had a .282/.379/.491 slash line with 17 homers and 15 stolen bases in 122 games combined with Double-A Binghamton and High-A Brooklyn this past season. Baseball America ranks Reimer as the Mets' No.8 prospect.
The Mets could also add minor-league left-hander Luis Rodriguez, who has been limited to 14 games in five seasons because of injury. Rodriguez is a risk, but one worth taking because he is just 22 and has an electric arm.
Would this Mets' offer be enough to get the Pirates to trade Keller? Perhaps.
While Keller was an All-Star in 2023, he is becoming very expensive, especially for a league-average pitcher who has posted a 103 ERA+ over the last four seasons while also making 124 starts in that span.