The trade of Jeff McNeil to the Athletics wasn't just about clearing payroll or parting ways with a veteran staple; it was a calculated bet on the future of the Mets' pitching pipeline. In exchange for the versatile infielder, New York acquired 17-year-old Cuban right-hander Yordan Rodriguez. While his name may not yet be familiar to the casual fan, his inclusion in the deal signifies the Mets' ongoing strategy of targeting high-upside arms with elite physical traits that can be refined within their developing "pitching lab."
Rodriguez represents the archetype of the modern international prospect: young, projectable, and possessing raw data that jumps off the page.