For many years, the New York Mets have failed to learn from their mistakes. It’s a reason why
the team hasn’t won a World Series since 1986. During the offseason, the team traded longtime
fan favorite Brandon Nimmo to the Rangers for Marcus Semien in a salary dump move. New
York’s reasoning for the trade was to improve defensively and create more financial flexibility.
The move sent shock waves through the Mets fan base. Nimmo had a strong connection with
the fans and was coming off a productive season. Meanwhile, Semien’s best years seemed to
be behind him. So far this season, this trade is looking like a classic New York Mets mistake.
Last season, despite all the hype surrounding the signing of Juan Soto, the New York Mets
suffered an epic collapse in the second half and missed the playoffs. During the offseason,
President of Baseball Operations David Stearns overhauled the roster. Longtime fan favorite
Brandon Nimmo was traded to the Texas Rangers for Marcus Semien in a salary dump move.
While Nimmo had a no-trade clause, the team was able to convince him to waive it.
This trade was rather surprising and questionable. Brandon Nimmo had a strong connection
with the fan base and was coming off a productive season. In 2025, the longtime Met slashed
.262/.324/.436 with 25 home runs, 92 RBI, and an OPS of .760. He also registered an OPS+ of
113. His 25 homers and 92 RBI were both career highs. New York’s reasoning for trading him
was that the team wanted more financial flexibility and he had declined defensively. Before
being shipped to Texas, Nimmo had five years and $102.5 remaining on the deal he signed in
2022.
Marcus Semien appears to be nearing the end of his career. In 2025, Semien experienced
another career-worst season. The three-time all-star slashed .230/.305/.364 with 15 home
runs, 62 RBI, and an OPS of .669. He also had an OPS+ of just 98. This was the second
consecutive year that he experienced an offensive statistical decline. It should be noted that he
would also be turning 36 this season. However, he still proved to be an elite defender, winning
his second career Gold Glove award. Before coming to Queens, the 35-year-old still had three
years and $72 million remaining on the contract he signed in 2021. Essentially, the Mets traded
a productive player for one who’s aged like milk.
So far this season, this trade has left egg on the Mets’ faces. Brandon Nimmo is showing that
he’s still a productive player with Texas. Nimmo has been the leadoff hitter the Rangers have
coveted. The 33-year-old is currently slashing .302/.381/.512 with four home runs, 11 RBI, and
an OPS of .893. He also has a scorching OPS+ of 170. New York also couldn’t have been more
wrong about him defensively. While primarily patrolling right field, he currently has a +2 in
defensive runs saved.
Meanwhile, Marcus Semien has been a disaster in Queens, and his decline has only accelerated.
He’s currently slashing just .216/.280/.297 with one home run, eight RBI, and an OPS of .578.
His OPS+ has only gotten worse as well and it’s currently just 66. While he’s still a strong
defensive second baseman, this doesn’t help the Mets, who are averaging a National League-
worst 3.38 runs per game. Brandon Nimmo’s bat could’ve helped with that issue. It’s becoming
very clear that Semien’s skills are quickly eroding. At this point, New York will be lucky to
salvage anything from the 35-year-old in the next three seasons.
As a franchise, the New York Mets have made a lot of bad trades over the years. Their trade of
Brandon Nimmo for Marcus Semien is one of them. With the Texas Rangers, Nimmo is showing
he’s a great bat to have in the lineup and still a strong defender. Semien, on the other hand, has
been a disaster in Queens, and is becoming a defective player. Its moves like this one are why
the Mets have never been able to be a consistent World Series contender.
