This winter, the New York Yankees faced the setback of losing Juan Soto to the New York Mets, but they responded by acquiring Cody Bellinger and Devin Williams to offset the loss. However, there may still be room for another move, particularly in their infield, to further strengthen the roster. Jacob Mountz of FanSided suggested the Yankees should target New York Mets All-Star Jeff McNeil as a potential replacement for Gleyber Torres, who signed with the Detroit Tigers during free agency.

Mountz pointed out that McNeil, known for his slap-hitting style and ability to pull the ball, could see a significant power boost at Yankee Stadium. Although McNeil isn’t recognized as a home run hitter, statistics from Baseball Savant suggest that under the stadium’s favorable conditions, McNeil could have hit 19 home runs in 2024, a considerable increase from the 12 he managed that season. McNeil, who won a batting title in 2022, endured a down year in 2024, posting a subpar .238/.308/.384 slash line. A fresh start with the Yankees could rejuvenate his performance.

The 33-year-old McNeil signed a four-year, $50 million contract with the Mets in 2023, and is owed $15.75 million per year for the next two seasons, with a club option for 2027. Mountz suggests that trading McNeil could provide the Mets with a solid return, while also creating some financial flexibility that they might use to re-sign slugger Pete Alonso.

For the Yankees, acquiring McNeil could be a strategic move, especially given the uncertainty around DJ LeMahieu. Although LeMahieu has been an option at second base, his performance has been hampered by injuries and his batting average has dropped to .232 over the past two seasons. A trade for McNeil could provide the Yankees with a more reliable option at second base, rounding out their infield and bolstering their lineup for the 2025 season.