by It was a good Tuesday for New York Mets utility player Jeff McNeil.
McNeil’s $50 million four-year extension from the team has been made official, and includes a fifth-year option that could bring the total to $63.75 million.
But, during his press conference Tuesday to announce the extension, McNeil is expecting one more thing, but now from the front office.
Francisco Lindor, the Mets’ All-Star shortstop, promised McNeil he would buy him a car if he won the National League batting title. He did just that, hitting .326 during the 2022 season, but he’s yet to be rewarded.
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Jeff McNeil #1 of the New York Mets hits a two-run double during the seventh inning against the San Diego Padres in game two of the Wild Card Series at Citi Field on October 8, 2022 in New York City. York.
(Elsa/Getty Images)
McNeil said he recently sent Lindor some cars that caught his eye.
“He said they were good cars,” McNeil said, via The Post. “They were a brand of a very good [car].”
McNeil and Lindor have other things on their minds right now, with the Mets opening spring training in two weeks. As always, it will be the pitchers first, then they will line up the players before first team practice.
The 30-year-old McNeil appears to be a standout piece of a Mets lineup that won 101 games last season, though they lost to the San Diego Padres in the NL wild-card round.
This extension, however, makes McNeil a key player for the future as well.
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Jeff McNeil #1 of the New York Mets tags out Jake Cronenworth #9 of the San Diego Padres and pitches to first during the fourth inning in game two of the Wild Card Series at Citi Field on October 8, 2022 at the New York City.
(Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
“Taking care of my family was huge,” McNeil said, as he gives up his last two years of arbitration with this extension. “Coming in at 26 and a free agent at 33, you never know what’s going to happen. I’m also an uptight person, so I think this allows me to go out and play baseball every day.” I don’t have to worry.”
Guaranteed money has always been tempting for players, especially in the MLB when becoming a free agent initially requires years of arbitration. Players like Ozzie Albies of the Atlanta Braves, Luis Severino of the New York Yankees and, most recently, Yandy Diaz of the Tampa Bay Rays take early extensions before they hit the market to guarantee their millions.
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McNeil noted that those discussions with Mets higher-ups turned serious in January after the deadline for arbitration-eligible players to reach agreements with their teams. McNeil had hoped to get a raise from $3 million to $7.75 million for next season. The Mets responded with $6.25 million at the time, forcing arbitration.
That is now avoided with the new extension.
With McNeil locked up for at least the next four years, the Mets have a solid core that includes Brandon Nimmo, who re-signed this offseason after becoming a free agent, and Lindor. Pete Alonso, who has one more year of arbitration after this season, is probably the next player on the Mets’ list of extension talks.
Jeff McNeil #1 of the New York Mets hits a two-run double during the seventh inning against the San Diego Padres in game two of the Wild Card Series at Citi Field on October 8, 2022 in New York City. York.
(Elsa/Getty Images)
As McNeil said, he made his big league debut as a 26-year-old in 2018, and it was a breakout performance slashing .329/.381/.471 in 63 games. Those efforts led the Mets through the entire 2019 season, which he became his first-year All-Star with a slash of .318/.384/.531 with 23 home runs, 38 doubles and 75 RBIs in 133 games.
In five seasons, McNeil has hit below .311 just once, making him one of the best contact hitters in the game.
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Despite being “over the hump” at 30, the Mets see no reason why McNeil’s bat can’t continue to deliver hits every season, leading to securing his talent for the short- and long-term future. .
