NEW YORK, NY — Something was bound to change after the Mets’ dismal finish, missing out on the third NL Wild Card spot. The complexion of their roster was destined to be different though Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto, not going-going gone like a home run ball.
A Pete Alonso return to the Mets? That to be determined in these infancy stages of the offseason and prior to the annual Winter Meetings in a few weeks, there will be wheeling and dealing, free agents granted with lucrative contracts. The entire baseball world will be monitoring events down in Orlando, Florida.
MLB’s Winter Meetings are set to take place in Orlando, Florida next month from Sunday, December 7-Wednesday, December 10 – Image Credit: MLB
However the Mets were first to strike with a stunning one-for-one trade this week. Brandon Nimmo, the fan favorite and homegrown outfielder in exchange for Texas Rangers infielder Marcus Semien. The talk was overhauling of a Mets roster that failed with run prevention.
A strategy to improve what Mets President of Baseball Operations David Stearns emphasized as a priority, run prevention and one of the many obstacles that led to a disappointing finish of a season for a team that was projected to have a deep playoff run in October.
David Stearns and Steve Cohen will be busy this offseason as the Mets look to improve on all aspects for 2026 in free agency and the trade market – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
Basically, player-for-player. Salary structure of the Nimmo and Semien contracts came into play, it benefits both teams. The Mets have more salary leverage in a quest to re-sign Alonso, the ultra homegrown fan favorite with productive numbers and franchise records. It also leads to speculation about the Mets making a significant pitch for an outfielder on the market, Cody Bellinger or Kyle Tucker?
Regardless this isn’t considered a Stearns purge, rather the beginning of a revamp and so much more needed for the Mets. And another homegrown Met, Jeff McNeil, also with a nice contract, is once again a subject of trade talk.
Semien, 36-years of age and a 13-year MLB veteran has $72 million remaining on a contract, hindered with a foot and ligament injury last year that limited his production (.230 batting average, 15 home runs, and 62 RBI). The OPS of .305 was his lowest since 2016 including a career-low .364 in slugging, though when healthy, an excellent defender in the infield at second base, who makes contact at the plate.
Marcus Semien has won a Gold Glove two times in his 13-year career (2021 with Toronto and 2025 with Texas) – Image Credit: Emma Sharon/Latino Sports
Nimmo, 33, with 25 home runs and 92 RBI, strikes out more, and showed a decline across 2025 in walk rate, speed, and defense in the outfield.
One-for-one, an old fashioned baseball trade. And no disputing that a Mets clubhouse without Nimmo will be evident, accessible to the media and leader.
Basically, a win for the Mets and Rangers. Nimmo reunites with former teammate and pitcher Jacob deGrom. Semien is a new look to Queens and Citi Field. And ready for the adjustment that comes with a new fan base, culture, and attention playing for a big market team. As well as the team’s billionaire owner Steve Cohen who is looking for a championship.
Also an adjustment for Nimmo, content, thanking the Mets for his tenure, a small market at Globe Life Field awaits with the business of baseball and a trade that began the momentum of what is expected to be more from Stearns.
Before the Nimmo-Semien trade earlier this week, Brandon Nimmo was the longest active tenured Met, making his MLB debut in orange and blue in June of 2016 – Image Credit: Simon Lindenblatt/Latino Sports
Some interesting comments from Semien on the Mets Zoom media meeting Tuesday afternoon:
“Happy to play in a large market, fans. In terms of culture, it’s definitely a place that I really enjoy being (New York City). Now I get to do what I love in that city in front of fans that love the game. There’s a strong history with the Mets organization. There have been great players who have come through there and done some good things and I just want to be one of those players.
I want to play until they tell me to go home. Offensively I think that I still have a lot to offer. I’m disappointed in the way that I performed offensively last year. Let my game do the talking, get to know the fans, the community. Im Excited to join two leaders Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto. When I said Hall of Famers, these are the two guys I’m referring to.”
He added “Fill in hopefully and do as well as Brandon,” assuring Mets fans won’t forget their favorite Nimmo, but now is the time to be excited about Marcus Semien.
Rich Mancuso is a senior writer and columnist at LatinoSports.com – X: @Ring786, Facebook.com/Rich Mancuso
Follow us on Social Media for updates and exclusive content
Instagram: @latinosportsoficial
Facebook: Latino Sports
Twitter: @latinosports
