With time, circumstance, and competition beginning to stack against him, the future doesn’t look nearly as secure as the past once did. The Mets’ farm system, ranked number one in MLB, is brimming with talent ready to stake a claim in 2026. McNeil has been a steady hand for the Amazins, but steady can feel small when the team’s stars are rising. With prospects knocking, Baty breaking through, and production looking average at best, even a longtime contributor can feel like yesterday’s news. Baseball moves fast, and sometimes the player you know best is the one the future quietly passes by.