Breaking MLB Trade: New York Mets Acquire Slugging 2B Marcus Semien

The New York Mets have pulled off a big trade on Sunday, acquiring elite second baseman Marcus Semien from the Texas Rangers in exchange for longtime outfielder Brandon Nimmo.

BREAKING: The New York Mets and Texas Rangers are finalizing a trade that would send second baseman Marcus Semien to the Mets and outfielder Brandon Nimmo to the Rangers, sources tell ESPN
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 23, 2025

The trade is shocking for Mets fans, and even more surprising is the fact that Nimmo would have had to agree to waive his no-trade clause in order for this deal to go through.

Semien / Nimmo trade is all about defense for the Mets

The Mets are bringing in a 3-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glover in Semien, who, admittedly, is coming off an awful year on the offensive side of the ball in the Lone Star State.

In fact, Semien's production at the plate has dipped in each of the last couple of seasons, after leading the league in hits in 2023 with 185. He's seen his home runs dip from 29 to 23 to just 15, and his OPS plummet from .826 to .699 to .669.

But it's his elite play as a defender at second that the Mets are counting on. He's coming off his second Gold Glove season in 2025. Andy Martino weighs in to explain the Mets' thinking in that regard.

The teams are swapping massive contract commitments with this deal, as Semien is owed $72M over the next 3 seasons, and Nimmo is owed $102.5M over the next 5 years.

Rangers fill a void in the outfield with Brandon Nimmo

The Rangers plug an outfield hole after bidding farewell to Adolis Garcia, non-tendering him last week.

Nimmo has spent his entire career with the Mets and signed an eight-year deal in free agency ahead of the 2023 season for what he thought would keep him in Queens for the rest of his time in the majors.

The 32-year-old has been a well-above-average hitter for his decade in the bigs, due to a keen batting eye. He's developed some nice power over the last three seasons as well, averaging 24 long balls a year.

Mets fans are certainly sad to see him go.

"Brandon Nimmo was a great Met, a prideful Met. Someone who I talked often about with him, his legacy as a Met and when he put that uniform on, he really did look at himself as somebody that not just would be a leader of this team for years to come, but somebody that one day… pic.twitter.com/rwVGcgfZhv
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) November 23, 2025

Brandon Nimmo as a New York Met:

1,066 G
.262 AVG
.802 OPS
974 H
135 HR
463 RBI

A true Met through and through for 10 seasons. Thank you for everything, Brandon 💙🧡 pic.twitter.com/CQJnb8oAKS
— MetsMuse (@MetsMuse) November 23, 2025

For the Mets, many will wonder if this is a move to cover them in the event that Pete Alonso leaves in free agency. Mark Vientos would then take over at first base, while Brett Baty, who played mainly second this past season, would slot in at third.