NEW YORK -- Mets All-Star Jeff McNeil was working the phone Friday, hoping to acquire a promising, four-pawed prospect with the trade deadline looming.
A ruff negotiation, indeed.
McNeil video chatted with his wife, Tatiana, from Citi Field prior to a game against the Pirates, pleading to bring home a puppy brought to the ballpark by the North Shore Animal League. With his spouse uncertain, McNeil clubbed a three-run homer in New York's 6-3 win over Pittsburgh -- just the leverage he thinks he needed.
"Hitting a home run after holding a puppy, I think that gives me a little bargaining chip," McNeil said.