MLB Stars Reportedly Swapped In Surprising Blockbuster Trade
Two veterans are on the move
A significant early-offseason MLB trade reportedly went down Sunday night.
The New York Mets are sending outfielder Brandon Nimmo to the Texas Rangers for second baseman Marcus Semien, as first reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Neither club has yet to confirm the blockbuster.
It’s an especially jarring move for Mets fans, as Nimmo has played all 10 seasons with the organization that drafted him in 2011. The career .262/.364/.438 hitter departs the franchise sixth in all-time runs scored (593) and fifth in walks (524).
After struggling to stay healthy early in his career, Nimmo has played more than 150 games in each of the last four seasons. The left-hander has also unlocked more power, hitting a career-high 25 home runs in 2025.
Trading Nimmo is a curious move, but the Mets could be worried about his long-term prognosis. They begin the 2026 season one day before he turns 33, and he’s under contract through the 2030 season.
Nimmo will reunite with former Mets teammate Jacob deGrom on the Rangers, who non-tendered outfielder Adolis Garcia earlier this week. He’ll presumably join youngsters Wyatt Langford and Evan Carter in the outfield.
Semien wasn’t with the Rangers nearly as long as Nimmo’s Mets tenure, but he finished third in the American League MVP voting and won a World Series in 2023. He won his second Gold Glove this year, but the three-time All-Star also hit .230 with a career-low .669 OPS.
The Mets will exchange a fan favorite for a 35-year-old with a deteriorating bat. Semien will improve their infield defense to form a stout double-play combination alongside star shortstop Francisco Lindor, likely moving Jeff McNeil to the outfield to replace Nimmo barring more moves.
