The New York Yankees have had a busy offseason, including the loss of Juan Soto to the New York Mets. There’s a possibility for these two teams to strike a deal that benefits both sides.
According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the Yankees are actively shopping pitcher Marcus Stroman. The Mets, who are looking for rotation depth behind Clay Holmes, might be willing to trade their former batting champion, Jeff McNeil. FanSided’s Jacob Mountz suggested a potential trade:
Yankees receive: Infielder Jeff McNeil
Mets receive: Right-handed pitcher Marcus Stroman and outfielder Everson Pereira
Mountz explained that McNeil would be an ideal addition to the Yankees for several reasons. Despite a down year in 2024, with a .238/.308/.384 slash line, McNeil managed 12 home runs over 424 at-bats. His home/away splits were telling—while he struggled in Queens, hitting just .199 with two home runs, he performed significantly better on the road, with a .279 average and 10 home runs.
McNeil, a two-time All-Star and the 2022 batting champion, still has two seasons and a club option for 2027 remaining on his $50 million contract signed in 2023. He could step in as the Yankees’ second baseman following Gleyber Torres’ possible departure.
On the other hand, Marcus Stroman, who made the 2023 All-Star team, had a mixed tenure in the Bronx. With a 3.21 ERA across 44 starts with the Mets, he did not meet expectations in New York.
His previous team could offer him a fresh start, as the Mets explore a potential conversion for Clay Holmes into a starting role, a position he hasn’t held since his rookie season. Stroman’s addition could provide insurance should Holmes struggle in this new role.
To make the trade work, the Yankees would likely need to include a top-10 prospect, as the Mets would also be absorbing Stroman’s contract.
