1 player from each NL East team for White Sox to trade for

New York Mets

The New York Mets have a lot to offer the Chicago White Sox via a trade.

Jeff McNeil would be a great target for the White Sox because he could simultaneously fill two needs. He plays both second base and right field. In fact, he may wind up as the Met’s starting second baseman if he is not traded.

McNeil’s career got off to a scorching start. He hit .384 with 23 home runs in 2019 then .311 in 2020. In his first 1,024 plate appearances, he posted a 140 wRC+. He would provide the White Sox with a much-needed left-handed bat in the lineup. He could also offer balance. McNeil is a contact hitter who does not strike out much. From 2019-to 2021 he owns the game’s tenth-lowest strikeout rate.

Defensively, he has played 182 games at second base including 79 last season. Overall, he owns a .984 fielding percentage. McNeil has also has played 46 in right field.

The reason he could be traded is that the Mets have lots of other infield options. Eduardo Escobar and Travis Blankenhorn are capable of playing second base. In the outfield, they have a crowded rotation that includes Mark Canha, Dominic Smith, Starling Marte, and Brandon Mino. They also felt the need to replace McNeil last season with Javier Baez at second base.

His at-bats dropped off the second half of last season and he dealt with a hamstring injury in May. However, McNeil’s three years of control could fetch a good price for the Mets which is why they may consider trading him. He is worth taking a look at for White Sox brass.