The New York Yankees, established in 1903, and the New York Mets, who debuted as an expansion team in 1962, did not make any player trades until 1966. In the 58 years since, the two crosstown rivals have traded players only 17 times. A prominent Yankees blog has now suggested making it 18, proposing a trade that it believes would benefit both teams. The trade would be the most notable between the two teams since December 7, 2001, when the Yankees traded outfielder David Justice, a three-time All-Star, to the Mets for shortstop Robin Ventura, a two-time All-Star and six-time Gold Glover.
In the proposed trade, the Yankees would send right-handed pitcher Marcus Stroman, and the $37 million left on his contract, to the Mets in exchange for 2022 National League batting champion and two-time All-Star Jeff McNeil. Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa, senior managing editor of Bleeding Yankee Blue, argued that while the Yankees never intended to acquire Stroman, he could be valuable to many teams, and the Mets are in need of pitching, making the deal a “win-win.”
McNeil, who signed a four-year, $50 million contract with the Mets before the 2023 season, is a versatile defender who has played every infield position except shortstop and both corner outfield spots. The Yankees are still looking for an infielder to replace Gleyber Torres, who left for the Detroit Tigers.
Stroman’s performance declined sharply in the second half of 2024, and he was excluded from the Mets’ postseason roster. The Yankees owe him $18.5 million for next season, with another $18.5 million due in 2026 if he pitches 140 innings. With the addition of Max Fried to the Yankees’ rotation, there’s no clear spot for Stroman on their staff or payroll. The question now is whether the two teams will complete their 18th trade, and if it will truly benefit both sides. As of Tuesday, there are 71 days left until opening day to find out.
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