The Mets already had a messy offseason on their hands, and one trade in particular may end up defining just how rough it was for David Stearns.
New York dealt outfielder Brandon Nimmo to the Texas Rangers for veteran second baseman Marcus Semien, a move that looks increasingly lopsided on paper. Semien is three years older than Nimmo and still has two years and $50 million left on his deal. That’s a heavy price for a player whose bat has slowed considerably.
“Stearns traded Brandon Nimmo to the Texas Rangers for Marcus Semien. Granted, part of the calculation here was that Nimmo is signed through 2030, while Semien's deal is up after 2028,” Bleacher Report's Tim Kelly wrote.
“But at 36 years old, Semien seems to have almost nothing left offensively. Nimmo wasn't great, either, but still has a 112 OPS+, as opposed to 74 from Semien,” Kelly added.
The Mets can at least feel fine about their outfield setup, with Juan Soto, Carson Benge, and A.J. Ewing forming a starting unit that leaves them in good shape there. But the real question is whether Semien can still get back to the level he showed with the Athletics, Toronto Blue Jays, and Rangers.
Durability has long been one of Semien’s calling cards. He has played at least 159 games in eight of his 14 major league seasons. Even so, the late-career stretch can be a different animal, and staying on the field may become more of an issue now.
If Semien can’t stay healthy or rediscover much at the plate over the next two seasons, this trade will sit right alongside the Mets’ other offseason regrets. That includes the Pete Alonso situation, with the first baseman signing with the Baltimore Orioles, and the signing of Devin Williams, who posted a 4.54 ERA in 43 appearances in the first year of his three-year, $41.38 million contract.
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