National League batting champion Jeff McNeil has agreed to a four-year, $50 million contract extension with the New York Mets, sources confirmed on Friday.
Prior to reaching an agreement with the team, McNeil was set to go on an arbitration trial with the Mets as he requested $7.75 million. The team offered $6.25 million in response.
The deal, which is pending a physical, includes the option for a fifth year which would raise the value of the agreement to $63.75 million if activated.
McNeil’s decision to take a deal made sense given that it would be another two years before he would reach free agency, at which point he would be 33 years of age. Also, the market has not been rewarding contract-oriented players as of late, making his decision that much more straightforward.
With a career batting average of .307, McNeil remains one of the Mets’ biggest hitters. In 2022, he hit .326/.382/.454 with 39 doubles, 9 home runs, 62 RBIs, and just 61 strikeouts.
Following the deal, the Mets’ projected payroll plus tax is around $467 million; a figure that is set to exceed the current league record.
