Height
6'0"
Weight
195 lbs
Age
34
College
Long Beach State
Draft
2013, Rd 12, #356
Experience
8 yrs
Bats/Throws
L/R
Fan Verdict
Grade this player:
Career StatsC
| Year | Team | GP | AVG | HR | RBI | OPS | SB | H |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career |  | 928 | 0.28238183 | 80 | 367 | 0.77585244 | 38 | 920 |
Current Contract
Length
4 years
Total Value
$50.0M
Guaranteed
$30.0M
AAV
$12.5M/yr
Contract Value Index (CVI)
The Athletics' four-year, $12.5M AAV commitment to Jeff McNeil earns a C- CVI, reflecting a middling investment that carries meaningful downside risk. While McNeil brings proven MLB experience and versatility to a rebuilding Oakland roster, paying starter money for what projects as replacement-level production represents questionable resource allocation. At 32, McNeil is entering his decline phase just as the A's competitive window remains years away, creating an awkward timeline mismatch that undermines the deal's strategic value. His recent defensive regression at second base and declining offensive output suggest the Athletics are betting on a bounce-back that may never materialize, especially given the organization's emphasis on developing younger, cost-controlled talent. For a franchise prioritizing financial flexibility while building through their farm system, committing $50 million to a serviceable starter who doesn't move the needle represents the type of middle-ground move that rarely pays dividends. The contract feels like an attempt to add veteran presence rather than a calculated move toward contention, making this C- CVI reflective of a deal that's neither disastrous nor particularly shrewd.
Performance Analysis
Jeff McNeil grades as an All-Star caliber performer among MLB second basemen, earning a B+ Performance grade. He is hitting with a 0.283 batting average and a 0.778 OPS (near the league average of .720) this season. With 80 home runs and 367 RBI through 923 games (a 14-HR, 64-RBI pace over a full season), he brings limited power to the lineup. His 37 stolen bases add an elite speed dimension that creates additional offensive value. As a experienced veteran at 33, Jeff is a key contributor for the Athletics. A 923-game sample provides high confidence in this grade.
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