On Monday, right before the Christmas holiday, the New York Mets traded veteran Jeff McNeil to the Athletics in what was purely a salary dump. After rumors of clubhouse conflict with Francisco Lindor, McNeil was sent packing as the Mets further tear down their roster of legacy players. And for the Yankees? It could help them.

Whatever Mets fans’ emotional attachment was to McNeil, Brandon Nimmo, Pete Alonso and Edwin Díaz, that group of players failed to win, outside of an outlier NLCS run in 2024. What David Stearns is doing is transformative and constructive, contrary to popular belief.

In fact, Yankees fans have been asking Brian Cashman for a version of this the last few years. Instead, it’s been half-measures or slower burns via more lengthy makeovers that are killing Aaron Judge’s prime. How much of that is left? We don’t know. But time is precious.

But if we want to look at the bright side here, it’s that the Mets could be preparing for a bigger free agent move that could impact the AL East greatly. With trade rumors still surrounding third baseman Mark Vientos, are we sure Stearns isn’t going to make a run at Alex Bregman to get another playoff-tested veteran in the door at an important position?

Steve Cohen admitted himself that the payroll probably wasn’t going to be lower than last year’s. That means plenty of moves need to be made after they just cleared almost $15 million this offseason with the aforementioned departures (among others) and additions of Marcus Semien, Devin Williams, Jorge Polanco and Luke Weaver.

Full trade, per ESPN sources:

A’s receive: Jeff McNeil and $5.75 million (to help cover his $15.75 million salary; the Mets also would pay his $2 million buyout if his option isn’t exercised)

Mets receive: RHP Yordan Rodriguez

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 22, 2025

That doesn’t exactly pave the smoothest path to Bregman, but it helps! Every bit always does. And if it interrupts the Red Sox’s current mild pursuit, then we’re all for it. If not, the Mets could take one of the many talented free agent starting pitchers off the market and also block the Red Sox and Blue Jays. What about Kyle Tucker? A Cody Bellinger signing would hurt, so we’re hoping to avoid that one.

Then again, the Yankees have very few targets this offseason. That means the majority of potential Mets fits can help the Yankees when it comes to subtraction in their own division. While Bregman remains a fit for the Yankees, it’s probably just not happening, and the Red Sox, by default, remain his best destination. Boston has already improved its roster with the additions of Willson Contreras, Jovan Oviedo and Sonny Gray. It’d be much more satisfying if that’s how they concluded their offseason.

On the other hand, sure, the Mets getting a lot better is never exactly palatable for Yankees fans, but does it really matter? Only Mets fans treat the Subway Series as an extension of a non-existent rivalry. The Yankees’ goal remains to win a World Series, and the Mets have been to three since 1986. That’s not exactly a “threat” to what they’re trying to do.

So if we’re reading the tea leaves, Bregman to Queens as a favor for Scott Boras after last offseason’s Juan Soto deal is starting to make a lot more sense. And while it’d make the Yankees look bad, it’d be a lot worse for the Red Sox. Not to mention, we’ll take our chances with another bloated long-term contract for the Mets. Those have a history of not working out for them.