Jeff McNeil wrote a heartfelt message to Mets fans on Saturday.
McNeil, who had spent his entire professional career with the Mets before being dealt to the Athletics on Monday, took to Instagram to thank the fans, coaching staff and his teammates over his eight-year run in Queens.
“New York will always be a part of my story,” McNeil wrote alongside a video that included Mets highlights.
“The Mets organization is all I have ever known since being drafted in 2013, and it has been an incredible run. I’m incredibly thankful for every moment, every lesson, and every memory along the way.
“I’m especially grateful for the fans who welcomed me and my family and made New York feel like home for so long. Thank you to Steve and Alex Cohen, the coaching staff, and my teammates who made this journey so meaningful.
“With so much gratitude, it’s time to turn the page and embrace the next chapter in green and gold.”
McNeil, 33, was traded to the Athletics in exchange for 17-year-old pitching prospect Yordan Rodriguez.
In addition, the Mets are sending over $5.75 million to the A’s to offset the $15.75 million McNeil is owed for next season.
“I want to thank Jeff for his time and contributions to the organization,” Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said in a statement after the deal was made official. “He was drafted by the team and grew up in our system. I wish Jeff and his family success and good luck going forward. We are excited to bring Yordan into our system. He is a young right-hander with a promising future.”
McNeil’s time in Queens was assumed to be approaching an end once the Mets traded outfielder Brandon Nimmo for second baseman Marcus Semien, a deal that ultimately made the two-time All-Star expendable.
Across 122 games last season, McNeil posted a slash line of .243/.335/.411 with 21 doubles and 12 homers, an improvement over his 2024 season but still a decline from his batting title season in 2022.
McNeil’s departure also comes less than a month after noti.group’s Mike Puma reported that he and shortstop Francisco Lindor — four years after things got physical between the two — got into another confrontation this past season, in which the latter started to verbally attack McNeil following a defensive lapse during a Mets 10-2 loss to the Phillies on June 20.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
