In a shocking, but not totally unexpected move, the New York Mets traded outfielder Brandon Nimmo for Texas Rangers second baseman Marcus Semien. The trade marks the first blockbuster move of the offseason and serves as an even deeper meaning for how this offseason will go for the Mets.
Marcus Semien Fits Perfectly with the Mets
A Leader Who Fits New York’s Culture
Semien, 35, is coming off a Gold Glove season in which he recorded seven outs above average, which ranked him third among qualified second basemen. Semien arrives in Queens with more than just hardware – he brings a standard – and for him, that starts with the culture in New York.
“In terms of culture, it’s definitely a place that I really enjoy being. There’s a strong history with the Mets organization. I just want to be one of those players,” he said on Tuesday via Zoom – just two days after being traded.
Marcus Semien is ready to get going in Queens
Full introductory press conference
https://t.co/dkcjaOcg3p pic.twitter.com/xhHandv323
— New York Mets (@Mets) November 26, 2025
The three-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger is already embracing the expectations that come with New York. After trading a leader in Nimmo, the Mets needed a new one.
“The one thing that has remained constant for me is leading by example,” he said, “and with how I respect each member of the organization.”
That approach matters with a roster filled with young infielders like Brett Baty, Mark Vientos, Ronny Mauricio, and Luisangel Acuña. Semien brings that leadership and experience, and may even be able to help elite shortstop Francisco Lindor improve from what he would consider a disappointing season defensively.
Leadership First, Production Next
Although he is more known now as a player who brings leadership and defense, the Mets believe there’s more to give offensively. Semien believes it too.
“Offensively, I think that I still have a lot to offer. I’m disappointed in the way that I performed offensively last year. Had a good start in 2024 and I think that just having conversations with Jeff Albert and looking forward to talking to Troy Snitker about what I need to do to be that MVP-caliber bat in this lineup. That’s my goal,” he said.
Above all else, Semien’s durability remains one of his defining traits. He has been one of MLB’s most dependable players, leading the league in games played multiple times. The old saying goes that the best ability is availability – and Semien embodies that as well as anyone.
Semien takes pride in that consistency, and he sees the same drive in his new teammates. “It just excites me to play with guys who post every single day. Buddy Bell‘s baseball card has a lot of 161s, 162, 160, 159. As my career has gone on, it looks similar, and I’m proud of that.”
Of his seven-year, $175 million deal Semien signed with the Rangers back in 2021, the Mets will assume the remaining three years and $72 million. As for Nimmo’s eight-year, $162 million deal he signed in 2022, the Rangers will take on the remaining five years and $102.5 million. To balance the financial gap between the contracts, the Mets also sent Texas $5 million.
Marcus Semien won’t be the last move the Mets make. In fact, it’s just the first major domino, in what might be a trade-heavy offseason for Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns.
Main Photo Credit: © William Purnell-Imagn Images
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