Reese Kaplan -- Mets First Transaction Caught Many By Surprise

Well, well, well...we’ve all been awaiting for the first roster changes to take place and suddenly on Sunday evening from out of seemingly nowhere the Mets made a deal sending former first round pick Brandon Nimmo to the Rangers for All Star and Gold Glove second baseman Marcus Semien. 

Before we get into what the trade means for the next set of roster changes, let’s take a look at the finances and age issues involved in this deal.  Nimmo signed a very lucrative contract extension paying him $162 million over the course of eight years.  The salary increased to a rate of $20.5 million in 2024 and continues at that rate up through 2030.  What that means is the Mets moved a financial obligation of $102.5 million by peddling away their starting left fielder.

Statistically Nimmo in an average season is good for 21 HRs, 70 RBIs and a .262 batting average.  Those numbers are good but not great.  He had his best ever season in 2025 when he hit 25 HRs, 92 RBIs and batted the same .262.  The issue with Nimmo has always been injury susceptibility and a decline in his defensive metrics which fell below 0 this past year. 

Semien has had a very solid career that began back in 2013 with the White Sox.  During his time in the majors he has earned three All Star berths, won two Gold Glove awards and has three times finished third in the voting for MVP.  His bat has slowed down the past two years but his WAR rating in 2025 was still superior to what the Mets got from Nimmo.

Financially, Semien earns quite a bit of money.  Right now he is guaranteed to earn $72 million over the next three years.  How much his defense can balance out his offense, but he’s once hit over 40 HRs in a season and twice gotten over the century mark in RBIs.  Given the $30.5 million savings over what is owed to Nimmo, that helps pay for other needs while improving the infield defense with the DP combo now being Lindor and Semien. 

So now the questions arise what happens to the rest of the roster?  Jeff McNeil’s former position of second base is now taken.  Luisangel Acuna and Ronny Mauricio do not yet have open places on the field to demonstrate they are better than they have shown.  Brett Baty and Mark Vientos are still around and of these five people may be more desirable in trades for their low salaries and offensive potential. 

It also makes everyone begin to wonder who is in the Mets outfield?  For now you have Juan Soto out there on his own assuming Tyrone Taylor is a 4th outfielder.  You could slot Jeff McNeil into left field while they figure out who could take over in center field but that approach reduces the number of long balls and RBIs. 

Obviously this trade is the first of many changes sure to happen, though no one can identify who in free agency or other trades might be headed to Citifield.  Still, with the improved defense and salary savings it seems to be a decent deal for the Mets and not a bad one for the Rangers.