{"id":372975,"date":"2025-12-26T12:31:00","date_gmt":"2025-12-26T12:31:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/372975\/"},"modified":"2025-12-26T12:31:00","modified_gmt":"2025-12-26T12:31:00","slug":"mlb-trade-rumors-new-york-mets-potentially-eyeing-116-5-million-arizona-diamondbacks-star-to-replace-jeff-mcneil-and-improve-title-odds-mlb-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/372975\/","title":{"rendered":"MLB trade rumors: New York Mets potentially eyeing $116.5 million Arizona Diamondbacks star to replace Jeff McNeil and improve title odds | MLB News"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"MLBNew York Mets third baseman Ronny Mauricio (10), first baseman Pete Alonso (20), shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) and second baseman Jeff McNeil, right (Image via AP Photo) The New York Mets created a clear opening in their infield when they traded Jeff McNeil. Since then, league talk has centered on one name: Ketel Marte of the Arizona Diamondbacks. According to MLB insider Francys Romero, the Mets\u2019 interest picked up right after the McNeil deal was finalized.This would not be a minor adjustment. If the Mets push this through, it would reshape their infield and signal a clear focus on winning now.<\/p>\n

Why the New York Mets Moved On From Jeff McNeil<\/p>\n

On December 21, 2025, the New York Mets sent Jeff McNeil to the Oakland Athletics along with $5.75 million in cash. In return, they received minor-league pitcher Yordan Rodr\u00edguez. The move cleared McNeil\u2019s $15.75 million salary for 2026 and removed a club option for the same amount in 2027.McNeil remained a steady player, but his role no longer matched where the roster was headed. The trade gave the New York Mets financial room and flexibility in the infield.<\/p>\n

How a Mets\u2013Diamondbacks Trade Could Look<\/p>\n

Arizona is not shopping Marte, but teams know the Diamondbacks will listen if the return fits their long-term plans. Pitching is the priority.A realistic offer from the Mets would likely include: \u2022 One top pitching prospect such as Brandon Sproat or Jonah Tong \u2022 Infielder Brett Baty as a controllable position player \u2022 Reliever Huascar Brazob\u00e1n to add immediate bullpen depth \"Ketel<\/p>\n

Ketel Marte of Arizona Diamondbacks (Image via Getty)<\/p>\n

Ketel Marte is under contract through at least 2030. He will earn $16 million in 2026, with salaries rising to $22 million later in the deal, plus a player option for 2031. Any team acquiring him takes on the full contract.<\/p>\n

What Each Team Gets Out of It<\/p>\n

For the New York Mets, Ketel Marte brings a middle-of-the-order bat and defensive flexibility. He fits cleanly alongside Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto and can handle multiple positions if needed.For the Diamondbacks, the appeal is timing. Ketel Marte is entering his age-32 season. Moving him now could return young pitching that better lines up with their next competitive window, while also easing long-term payroll pressure.<\/p>\n

2025 Production Comparison<\/p>\n

Stat (2025)Ketel MarteJeff McNeil Games 126 122 AVG \/ OBP \/ SLG .283 \/ .376 \/ .517 .243 \/ .335 \/ .411 Home Runs \/ RBI 28 \/ 72 12 \/ 54 wRC+ 145 111 fWAR 4.6 2.1 2026 Salary $16M $15.75M (traded)Ketel Marte provided more power and reached base at a higher rate. McNeil continued to make contact, but the overall impact gap was clear.<\/p>\n

Pros and Cons for Each Side<\/p>\n

New York Mets positives: \u2022 Clear upgrade in the lineup \u2022 Contract certainty compared to free agency \u2022 Fits the current roster without major positional issuesMets risks: \u2022 Age-related decline over the life of the deal \u2022 High prospect cost \u2022 Long-term salary commitmentArizona Diamondbacks positives: \u2022 Young pitching depth \u2022 Payroll flexibility \u2022 Roster reset around a younger coreDiamondbacks risks: \u2022 Loss of a proven All-Star \u2022 Short-term offensive drop \u2022 Clubhouse impact<\/p>\n

Player Snapshot<\/p>\n

PlayerAge in 2026Height\/WeightMLB ExperienceContract Remaining Ketel Marte 32 6\u20190\u201d \/ 195 lbs 11 seasons 5 years, $91M+ Jeff McNeil 34 6\u20190\u201d \/ 195 lbs 8 seasons 1 year, $15.75M (moved)<\/p>\n

My two cents on this mock trade<\/p>\n

If the New York Mets complete this move, it would be a direct bet on the present. Marte gives them a stronger bat and more flexibility without entering the open market. Arizona would gain young pitching and financial room but give up one of its most reliable players.Also read: MLB trade rumors: New York Yankees could pivot towards $80 million Chicago Cubs hard-hitter after missing out on Kyle Tucker<\/a>Nothing is done yet, but the direction is clear. The Mets are looking to make a major change, and Ketel Marte sits at the center of it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"New York Mets third baseman Ronny Mauricio (10), first baseman Pete Alonso (20), shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) and…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":372976,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[558],"tags":[592,64,63,201639,7815,591,15431,1830,85],"class_list":{"0":"post-372975","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-mlb","8":"tag-arizona-diamondbacks","9":"tag-au","10":"tag-australia","11":"tag-jeff-mcneil-trade","12":"tag-ketel-marte","13":"tag-mlb","14":"tag-mlb-trade-rumors","15":"tag-new-york-mets","16":"tag-sports"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/372975","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=372975"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/372975\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/372976"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=372975"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=372975"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=372975"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}