The Mets jettisoned another core player as part of their retooling, trading second baseman Jeff McNeil to the Athletics on Monday for minor league right-hander Yordan Rodriguez in a deal that left pitcher David Peterson as their longest-tenured player.
New York will send up to $7.75 million to the A's to offset some of the $17.75 million remaining in McNeil's $50 million, four-year contract.
McNeil follows , and in departing the underperforming Mets, who failed to reach the playoffs this year despite the second-highest payroll behind the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers.
McNeil, who turns 34 in April, made his Mets debut and , when he was picked for his second All-Star team. He hit .243 with 12 homers and 54 RBIs in 122 games this year, when he made his season debut on April 25 after recovering from a strained right oblique.
He has a $15.75 million salary next year as part of a deal that includes a $15.75 million team option for 2027 with a $2 million buyout. The Mets will send the A's $5.75 million with another $2 million payment conditionally included if McNeil's option is declined.
Rodriguez, who turns 18 on Jan. 29, signed with the A's for a $400,000 bonus this past January and went 2-0 with a 2.93 ERA in one start and seven relief appearances for the Dominican Summer League A's. He struck out 20 and walked eight in 15 1/3 innings.
Peterson made his Mets debut in 2020. If he is traded, New York's longest-tenured player who be shortstop Francisco Lindor, acquired before the 2021 season.
New York has added and Gold Glove second baseman Marcus Semien, and the Mets have a pending deal with .
The A’s designated left-hander Ken Waldichuk for assignment.
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AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum contributed to this report.