Jeff McNeil Prepares for Emotional Citi Field Return After Mets Shakeup

Former Mets star looks forward to facing his old team in upcoming series.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 8:58am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the motion of a baseball player, with sharp planes of green, gold, blue, and orange representing the uniforms of the Oakland A's and New York Mets.A cubist interpretation of a former Mets star's return to Citi Field, as he faces his old team in an emotional reunion.NYC Today

Jeff McNeil, the former New York Mets player who was traded to the Oakland A's in December, is preparing for an emotional return to Citi Field to face his old team in an upcoming series. McNeil expressed mixed feelings about the Mets' offseason turnover, calling it 'a little crazy,' but is eager to play in front of the New York crowd again.

Why it matters

McNeil was a fan favorite during his time with the Mets, making the All-Star team in 2019 and 2021. His trade was part of a larger roster shakeup for the Mets, who have seen significant changes to their lineup and coaching staff in the offseason. McNeil's return will be a chance for him to reconnect with the Citi Field faithful and potentially show the Mets what they're missing.

The details

After being traded to the Oakland A's in December, McNeil is preparing to face his former Mets teammates for the first time. While he acknowledged the Mets' offseason changes were 'a little crazy,' he's looking forward to playing in front of the New York crowd again, even if it's in the A's visiting dugout. McNeil was a key part of the Mets' lineup for several seasons, making the All-Star team in 2019 and 2021.

  • McNeil was traded to the Oakland A's in December 2025.
  • McNeil will face the Mets in an upcoming series at Citi Field.

The players

Jeff McNeil

A former All-Star infielder who played for the New York Mets from 2018 to 2025 before being traded to the Oakland A's.

New York Mets

The Major League Baseball team based in New York City that McNeil played for prior to being traded.

Oakland A's

The Major League Baseball team that acquired Jeff McNeil in a trade with the Mets in December 2025.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“When I got traded over to the A's, I saw this series and I was like, 'Oh man, that's going to be a little crazy.'”

— Jeff McNeil, Oakland A's Infielder

The takeaway

McNeil's return to Citi Field will be an emotional moment for the former Mets fan favorite, as he faces his old team for the first time since being traded in the Mets' offseason roster shakeup. The series will give McNeil a chance to show the Mets what they're missing, while also reconnecting with the New York fans who cheered him on during his All-Star seasons.