The New York Mets have made their biggest move of the offseason so far.
The Mets were expected to have a busy offseason after their collapse toward the end of the regular season, missing the playoffs despite boasting one of the top payrolls in baseball. Intending to improve run prevention this winter, New York has made a massive trade with the Texas Rangers.
The Mets are trading away fan-favorite outfielder Brandon Nimmo to the Rangers in exchange for three-time All-Star second baseman Marcus Semien, as reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
“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,” Passan reported Sunday.
This trade comes as a surprise, as Nimmo has been a consistent presence for the Mets, spending the first 10 seasons of his career with the team. Nimmo’s eight-year, $162 million contract included a full no-trade clause, according to Spotrac, which the 32-year-old outfielder agreed to waive for the trade to be made.
For the Rangers, this trade makes sense for the team. The team is trying to shed salary, and though Nimmo is under contract for five more seasons, he is set to make less in the short term than Semien.
Semien is one of the best second basemen in the league and will make a major impact with the Mets. The three-time All-Star’s offense dipped this season as he slashed .230/.305/.364 this season with 15 home runs and 62 RBIs, but he brings elite defense and won a Gold Glove this season.
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