In an intriguing one-for-one swap of distinguished veterans, the Mets and Rangers have agreed to a commerce that can ship second baseman Marcus Semien to Queens in trade for outfielder Brandon Nimmo. New York can also be sending $5MM to assist Texas offset a number of the distinction between the 2 gamers’ remaining salaries.
Reviews emerged earlier this week that the Mets have been open to transferring Nimmo, although as of Thursday, commerce talks reportedly hadn’t developed to the purpose that the Mets had approached Nimmo about waiving his contract’s no-trade clause. Mike Puma of the New York Publish wrote immediately that the group raised the topic of the Texas commerce with Nimmo on Friday. After a day’s consideration and a chat with Rangers ace (and his former Mets teammate) Jacob deGrom, Nimmo agreed to approve the deal.
Given the commerce buzz this week, it isn’t solely surprising to see the veteran outfielder’s time in New York come to an finish. That mentioned, a straight-up swap for Semien is eye-opening, given how Semien is coming off a dismal yr on the plate and comes with a big future price ticket in his personal proper.
Semien has $72MM and three seasons remaining on the seven-year, $175MM free agent deal he signed with Texas through the 2021-22 offseason. Nimmo is owed $101.25MM by means of the 2030 season, as he has accomplished three years of the eight-year, $162MM free agent he signed to stay with the Mets in December 2022. Since luxurious tax figures are re-calculated to account for simply remaining cash owed within the wake of trades, Semien’s tax quantity is $24MM, and Nimmo has a $19.25MM determine (when factoring within the $5MM Texas is getting from New York).
The Mets are subsequently taking over a barely larger tax hit whereas lowering the quantity of general {dollars} owed, whereas the Rangers are lowering their tax quantity however including extra general cash to their books. That provides an fascinating wrinkle for a Texas membership that was anticipated to cut back payroll this winter, although it’s value noting that the Rangers cleared a superb chunk of cash off the books (a projected $21.1MM) on Friday with 4 non-tenders.
Whereas the monetary parts can’t be missed, the commerce can also be one thing of an old-school, need-for-need “baseball deal” that enables each the Mets and Rangers to deal with wants. Starting with Texas, the group was prioritizing a distinct offensive method based mostly round contact hitting and getting on base.
Nimmo’s strikeout charges have been general middling all through his profession, although his chase and whiff charges have been persistently above common. His stroll charges had additionally been robust earlier than out of the blue dropping to 7.7% in 2025, in a career-low for the outfielder over a full season. Nonetheless, Nimmo hit .262/.324/.436 with 25 homers over 652 plate appearances, translating to a 114 wRC+ over 652 plate appearances as New York’s on a regular basis left fielder. Public defensive metrics have additionally regarded much more fondly on Nimmo’s glovework since he moved to left subject from heart subject.
Since Adolis Garcia has now been non-tendered, Nimmo can slide into the left subject place in Arlington, with Evan Carter or (most likely extra doubtless) Wyatt Langford transferring into Garcia’s outdated spot in proper subject. Second base is now opened up for Josh Smith or Ezequiel Duran within the brief time period, and prime prospect Sebastian Walcott may additionally doubtlessly discover a house on the keystone relying on how lengthy Corey Seager stays at shortstop. The Rangers may additionally now discover the marketplace for commerce or free agent choices at second base, with Semien not within the image.
Chosen thirteenth general by the Mets within the 2011 draft, Nimmo has spent his total profession with the Amazins, turning into a fan favourite attributable to his constant offense. Accidents have been a significant hindrance for Nimmo earlier in his profession and he’s getting into his age-32 season, however he has performed in no less than 151 video games in every of his final 4 seasons.
In brief, it looks like the Rangers really feel extra snug about paying Nimmo a bit of additional cash over a long run than they have been paying Semien over his age 35-37 seasons. An image of sturdiness all through his profession, Semien suffered a uncommon critical damage in 2025, as he was restricted to 127 video games by a Lisfranc sprain and a small fracture in his left foot. Past simply the well being problem, Texas was maybe extra involved about Semien’s dropoff on the plate during the last three seasons.
2023 was Semien’s final yr as a premium hitter, as he hit .276/.348/.478 with 29 homers over 753 PA for the Rangers’ World Collection group. Semien delivered a 128 wRC+ that yr, and his key function in Texas’ first championship will without end make him a beloved determine in Arlington. After that dream season, nevertheless, Semien dropped to a 101 wRC+ in 2024, after which a subpar 89 wRC+ in 2025. A .251 BABIP during the last two seasons is a partial rationalization, but the larger offender is a sizeable decline in energy.
A change of surroundings may maybe get Semien’s bat going, even when Citi Area is named a pitcher-friendly ballpark. Semien does deliver a right-handed hitting factor to a Mets lineup that leaned left, and has now subtracted an on a regular basis lefty swinger in Nimmo. Past simply Semien’s offense and his popularity as a clubhouse chief, he stays an excellent defensive second baseman who simply gained his second profession Gold Glove.
Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said that run prevention was a chief space of enchancment for his group, so putting in Semien at second base is a giant defensive improve. Eradicating a strong defender like Nimmo from left subject is successful unto itself, but Jeff McNeil may make up a number of the distinction since left subject now appears to be like to be McNeil’s major place with Semien locked into second base. McNeil may additionally get part-time work in heart subject, or it’s potential he may also find yourself on one other roster, as rival groups have been discussing McNeil in commerce talks.
It’s a little shocking to see New York make such a distinguished transfer to deal with second base, given how first and third base have been the much more unsettled infield positions heading into the winter. Pete Alonso’s free company leaves first base open, and Brett Baty now appears to be like to be staying at third base with Semien on board. High prospect Jett Williams is predicted to make his MLB debut in 2026, and the outfield may now be Williams’ future place since Semien and Francisco Lindor have accounted for the center infield. Semien’s addition additionally brings recent questions on how the Mets will incorporate Mark Vientos, Luisangel Acuna, and Ronny Mauricio into the infield combine, or if any of those gamers (or Baty) may now be commerce chips.
Nimmo’s departure additionally signifies that the Mets may make a bigger transfer to deal with their outfield. The membership was already anticipated to be on the lookout for heart subject assist, and Juan Soto may probably be shifted over to left subject if the Mets wished to amass a brand new proper fielder. This can most likely spark some inevitable Kyle Tucker hypothesis, however Cody Bellinger is already recognized to be a participant on the Amazins’ radar.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan was the primary to report that the 2 groups have been within the ultimate levels of a deal involving Semien and Nimmo, and the New York Publish’s Jon Heyman had the extra element in regards to the $5MM heading to Arlington. The Athletic’s Will Sammon reported that Nimmo has agreed to waive his no-trade clause.
Inset photos courtesy of Jerome Miron (Semien) and Vincent Carchicetta (Nimmo) — Imagn Photographs
