Baseball seasons, like elections, have consequences. And so the expected uber-makeover of the Mets began with a blockbuster — the surprise exchange of stars that sent the beloved Brandon Nimmo to Texas in a straight-up deal for Marcus Semien.
Sentiment is out the window following a disastrous 2025 Mets season in which they memorably and pathetically failed to beat out the tiny-market Cincinnati Reds for the final playoff spot in a top-heavy league. So Nimmo was sacrificed in the name of defense and right-handedness.
The trade was painful, but probably necessary. When a team fails as badly as the Mets failed in 2025, emotion has to be thrown to the side of the turnpike.
Nimmo will be recalled for his clutch hits, consistent hustle and infectious enthusiasm — and for quite some time. The trade unquestionably hurts. But on paper, this deal makes perfect sense for a team that’s desperate to become less lefty-heavy and receive better glovework. Upon the story breaking around dinnertime Sunday, the first thing one Mets higher-up mentioned was Semien’s Gold Glove at second base (which differentiated him from every Met in ’25).