The New York Mets have released outfielder Billy McKinney from his minor league contract, according to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. McKinney originally signed with the Mets in March 2025, but his performance with their Triple-A affiliate in Syracuse failed to meet expectations. In 33 games, the 30-year-old hit just .184/.285/.307 across 130 plate appearances. His struggles at the plate prompted the Mets to move on, making McKinney a free agent once again as he searches for a new opportunity.
Top Prospect Turned Journeyman: McKinney’s Career Marked by Trades and Inconsistency
McKinney’s professional journey began with high expectations. Drafted 24th overall by the Oakland Athletics in 2013, he quickly earned status as a top-100 prospect. His early career was defined by involvement in high-profile trades, including one that sent him to the Cubs in a deal for Jeff Samardzija and another that made him part of the Cubs’ package to the Yankees in the Aroldis Chapman trade. Despite his prospect hype, McKinney’s rise to the majors was gradual, and he eventually made his MLB debut with the Yankees in 2018.
Mets Release Billy McKinney After Triple-A Struggles as Former Top Prospect Faces Uncertain FutureMcKinney’s stay with the Yankees was brief—just two games—before he was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays. During his three-year tenure with Toronto, he played in 122 games and slashed .230/.291/.439. After being designated for assignment in 2020, McKinney bounced around between teams, including the Brewers, Mets, and Dodgers in 2021. That year he saw the most playing time of his career, appearing in 116 games, but struggled with a .192/.280/.358 line, leading to another non-tender from the Rangers.
McKinney Shows Flashes of Promise but Struggles to Secure Long-Term MLB Role
McKinney returned to the Athletics on a minor league deal in 2022, though it yielded poor results. A more promising stretch came in 2023 when he rejoined the Yankees and hit .227/.320/.406 after a midseason call-up following Aaron Judge’s injury. Despite his decent showing, he was removed from the 40-man roster after the season and once again became a free agent. He re-signed on a minor league deal before being traded to the Pirates, where he excelled at Triple-A but failed to replicate that success in a short big-league stint.
Now at age 30, McKinney remains a free agent following his release from the Mets. While his bat hasn’t lived up to early expectations, his ability to play all three outfield spots and even first base makes him a potentially valuable depth option. Teams in need of minor league depth or hoping to reignite his long-lost potential may take a chance on him with another minor league contract. Whether he’ll find a path back to the majors remains uncertain, but his versatility and past promise keep the door slightly open.
