Jeff McNeil Returns to Citi Field for First Time as a Member of the Opposition Jeff McNeil returned to Citi Field on Friday for the first time as a member of the opposition, marking a significant moment in his career as he played for the Oakland A’s against his former team, the New York Mets. The occasion allowed him to address lingering questions about his relationship with former teammate Francisco Lindor, who now plays for the Mets. McNeil dismissed reports of a heated confrontation between the two players, clarifying that their June 20, 2025, incident in Philadelphia was a minor argument rather than a fight. “We just had a little argument. It was no big deal,” he said, emphasizing that the incident had no bearing on the Mets’ decision to trade him in December 2025 for Minor League pitcher Yordan Rodriguez. McNeil also acknowledged that the reported altercation was not the first time he and Lindor had clashed. The two had a separate disagreement early in their 2021 season together with the Mets. Despite these tensions, McNeil expressed admiration for Lindor, calling him “a great guy, a good person” and “one of the best shortstops to ever do it.” He wished Lindor “all the best” in his career, reflecting on the positive memories of their time as teammates. “I enjoyed my time playing with him,” McNeil said, adding that he hoped their paths would cross again in the future. The Mets’ decision to trade McNeil in December 2025 came after a period of significant roster changes. Over three months, the team parted ways with key players including Brandon Nimmo, Pete Alonso, Edwin Díaz, and ultimately McNeil. Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns had previously reached out to McNeil in November 2025, following the trade of Nimmo to the Rangers, to discuss his potential role as an outfielder in 2026.#new_york_mets #francisco_lindor #david_stearns #jeff_mcneil #oakland_ats
