No, Jeff McNeil said, he doesn’t believe his relationship with Francisco Lindor had anything to do with him being moved.
McNeil did say the two had a disagreement in Philadelphia last season.
“We had a little argument, no big deal,” McNeil said on Friday, as he made his return to Citi Field with the Athletics.
Asked if he thought it had a role in being moved, he said: “Absolutely not.”
The Post’s Mike Puma reported that, on June 20 of last season, the two had a heated confrontation after a defensive lapse as an angry Lindor verbally attacked McNeil. In 2021, an argument led to a physical altercation in the runway between the dugout and clubhouse. The Post later reported that Lindor grabbed McNeil by the throat and pinned him against a wall.
The two exchanged pleasantries during batting practice.
“We were teammates. I think he’s a great guy and good person, and I enjoyed my time playing with him,” McNeil said. “Wish him all the best, and he’s a great baseball player, one of the best shortstops to ever do it. Best of luck to him for the rest of his career, and it’s been fun playing with him.”
McNeil admitted to it being odd returning to Citi Field as the visitor. The Mets drafted him in the 12th round in 2013, and they were the only organization he knew, before they sent him to the A’s in exchange for minor league pitcher Yordan Rodriguez. Across eight seasons, he posted a slash line of .284/.351/.428 with an OPS of .779, won a batting title in 2022 and was selected to the All-Star team in 2019 and 2022.
Before first pitch, a tribute video was played on the big screen. McNeil received a loud ovation ahead of his first at-bat. He tipped his helmet to the crowd.
“I feel like I’ve given so much to this organization. I got drafted in 2013, I was here for 12 years, in the big leagues for seven,” McNeil said. “I hope the fans appreciate that I played hard and enjoyed my time here.”
The Mets shook up their core after missing the playoffs last year, trading both McNeil and Brandon Nimmo, and losing Pete Alonso and Edwin Diaz in free agency. After Nimmo was dealt to the Rangers for Marcus Semien, president of baseball operations David Stearns reached out to McNeil. He was under the impression he was going to stay with the Mets. It didn’t work out that way.
It’s definitely a little interesting. Never really been on this side of the stadium,” McNeil said. “This is kind of all I knew, it was the only organization I knew. It was a little tough. A bunch of great memories here.”
