The New York Mets and Texas Rangers swapped a pair of veteran players on Sunday Nov. 23, as both teams begin their offseason reshuffling.
In a one-for-one deal, the Mets picked up three-time All-Star second baseman Marcus Semien in exchange for left-handed hitting outfielder Brandon Nimmo. While this trade lacks the intrigue and has fewer long-term implications than last week’s Orioles-Angels deal, it might provide an ever-so-slight indication of the direction both teams are headed during the offseason.
Let’s take a look at how the deal impacts the Mets and Rangers, and hand out some grades on how well they improved their overall rosters.
New York Mets trade grade: C+
The addition of Semien, who won his second career Gold Glove in 2025, should help stabilize the revolving door the Mets had last season at second base, where Jeff McNeil, Brett Baty and Luisangel Acuña all saw action. It also allows McNeil to move to the outfield on a regular basis, essentially filling the void created by Nimmo’s departure. (Or the team could cut ties completely with McNeil, whom they’ve been trying to trade.)
However, Semien is 35. And after being perhaps baseball’s most durable player from 2018 to 2024, he finally succumbed to the injury bug last season – missing the final six weeks with a foot injury.
Semien is also a two-time Silver Slugger (2021, 2023), but he posted a career-worst .230/.305/.364 slash line in 2025 with 15 homers, 62 RBI and 11 stolen bases in 127 games. The Mets are hoping his offense bounces back – the move to Citi Field should help – and that his glove helps shore up a significant weakness in the infield.
The Mets still have a major decision to make this offseason regarding free-agent slugger Pete Alonso. If Alonso doesn’t return, the addition of Semien does give them another right-handed bat in the lineup.
Semien is due $26 million in salary this season and is signed through 2028 (which could impact the team’s plans for top infield prospect Jett Williams).
Texas Rangers trade grade: C
Nimmo was the Mets’ first-round draft pick in 2011 (13th overall) and has spent 10 seasons patrolling the outfield in Queens. He’ll fill a hole in the outfield created when the Rangers declined to offer a contract to veteran Adolis Garcia at the non-tender deadline.
He figures to take over Semien’s leadoff spot, with his .364 career on-base percentage giving the Rangers an upgrade in that role. Like Semien, Nimmo has been quite durable – appearing in at least 150 games in each of the past four seasons. He also has a similar power/speed profile, posting career highs of 25 homers and 92 RBI last season, while also stealing 13 bases.
Josh Smith, who filled in admirably when shortstop Corey Seager was injured last season, will likely fill Semien’s starting spot at second base.
Nimmo, who will turn 33 in March, will make $20.5 million this coming season and still has five years remaining on his contract that runs through 2030. Compared to Semien’s deal, the Rangers will pay a little less up front, but be on the hook for two additional years.