Baseball seasons, like elections, have consequences. And so the Mets’ uber-makeover began with a blockbuster: the surprise star swap that sent beloved Brandon Nimmo to Texas in an outright deal for Marcus Semien.
The sentiment is out the window after a disastrous 2025 Mets season in which they memorably and pathetically failed to beat the diminutive Cincinnati Reds for the final playoff spot. So Nimmo was sacrificed in the name of defense and right-handedness.
Nimmo will be remembered for his clutch hitting, consistent hustle and infectious enthusiasm for some time to come. But on paper, this deal makes perfect sense for a team desperate for better glove work — when the story broke around dinnertime on Sunday, the first thing Mets higher-ups mentioned was Semien’s Gold Glove at second base (which set him apart from any Met in ’25) — and not be so left-handed heavy.
As much as we’d love to see Nimmo go, and that includes teammates, fans and writers, though I’m not sure in what order — Nimmo texted “I’ll miss you too” right after the trade hit X — the trade makes perfect sense. Nimmo has still been a solid defender in left field, although he has slipped a few times, while Semien is still among the best with the glove. Additionally, Semien bats right-handed, which helps balance out the lopsided lineup.
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