Not too many people quite know why, but the New York Mets have decided to trade a key player suddenly. Brandon Nimmo, who has become a pretty big star for the Mets, has been traded to the Texas Rangers in return for a package that includes Marcus Semien. The move the probably be the first of many made by David Stearns. But this one was no doubt surprising to see.
Brandon Nimmo Traded for Marcus Semien
For now, all the information is that the Mets and Rangers are finalizing a deal that will see the Mets trade Nimmo for Semien. This means that in a likeliness, the trade is a straight up trade between. Interestingly enough as well, Nimmo approved the trade. For the Mets, this feels like a deal to shed some contract on a player that was a bit a expensive. Although they remains the question as to why the team traded for a player older, while also being pretty expensive- the 35 year-old Semien.
Clearly, the Mets intend to improve in multiple categories. First, they probably want to see Carson Benge get reps in the outfield this season, while New York might also try to go after Kyle Tucker or someone else in free agency. Overall, although a confusing deal, this does make things interesting for New York.
Who Won the Trade? No One Will Know Right Now, But as for This Season…
Brandon Nimmo had his 3rd straight season with at least 23 home runs. In 2022, Nimmo broke to become a bigger role player for New York during their 101 win season. In 2023, Nimmo proceeded to have career year, hitting 24 home runs. In 2024 and 2025, Nimmo hit with similar numbers, with the most recent season seeing Nimmo hit 25 home runs and drive in 92 RBI’s. Overall though, Nimmo has declined physically and is turning 33, meaning that he certainly wasn’t entering his prime.
The Mets will get the 35-year-old, former superstar Semien, who was declined over the last few seasons with the Rangers. Semien had his worst season of possibly his career, being injured for much of the season while hitting just 15 home runs and a .230 average. Semien can clearly still be a star. However, Semien can add some nice veteran experience to a team that is destined to still be young.
Could This Lead to Bigger Move?
One thing that does come out of this is that now the Mets can go after Kyle Tucker. Before, with Juan Soto in RF, and Nimmo and LF, it just didn’t make any sense for the Mets to go after Tucker. Possibly, the deal means the Mets have intent in going after the massive free agent. Tucker certainly didn’t have a very good season in 2025. Not to mention, Tucker has been up and down in his career, with injuries and other things affecting him.
But if somehow, someway, the Mets can get a team that includes Tucker, Lindor, Soto, and still potentially Pete Alonso, this trade will be the best thing that has happened to New York in a long time. In the end though, the Mets are clearly seeking to improve upon what they did last season. At the end of the year, the Mets were young, inexperienced and too holt and too cold. Steve Cohen doesn’t like to be embarrassed, and well, in 2025, he was.
Sure, many can laugh at New York for what became of a massive deal in it’s first season. However, as this trade shows, Cohen and Co. is ready to make a splash, and a big one. This trade could be just the beginning of a massive offseason that will do more than just address the issues. Perhaps, it can make this team what they want and believe they can be, a World Series contender.
Main Image: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
