Mets fans wre buzzing about the prospect of a Robinson Cano trade with the Mariners on Tuesday, with SNY's Andy Martino noting both sides being "aggressive" in trade talks. Cano is an established All-Star that would provide a big left-handed bat to the Mets at second base.
And while these rumors swirl around as we approach the Winter Meetings in a couple weeks, the Mets' current second baseman in Jeff McNeil hears them too.
"I mean, I see it," McNeil told reporters at the Mets Holiday Shopping Spree in Queens on Wednesday. "It's hard not to see it, but I try not to think as much about it and kinda go about my business."
By going about his business, McNeil will be working hard this offseason "preparing to be the everyday second baseman right now."
The 26-year-old certainly earned his spot with the Mets last season, owning a .329/.381/.471 line with 19 RBI over 63 games. Mets new GM Brodie Van Wagenen even endorsed McNeil, saying he was "penciled in" to start second base this season.
That's exactly what he's training to do this offseason, too.
"I'm just doing what I can in the offseason," he said. "I'm going to come in preparing to be the everyday second baseman right now. So I'm just going to work hard and come to Spring Training."
McNeil does like that his new GM expects him to be the starter -- barring any changes, of course.
"When I heard that, it was great," he said about Van Wagenen's comments. "That doesn't change what I do in the offseason."