The MLB trade market is steaming early as the annual hot stove season continues. On Sunday afternoon, there was a seismic move made between the Texas Rangers and the New York Mets.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported that the Mets are acquiring 3-time All-Star Marcus Semien in a rare player-for-player deal that includes Brandon Nimmo headed to Texas. The Athletic’s Will Sammon also reported that Nimmo waived his no-trade clause to be sent to the Rangers.
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Rangers Acquire Brandon Nimmo in Massive Offseason Trade
MLB reporters were on the case with this one earlier in the day, as multiple reports indicated that the Rangers and Mets had been in discussions for a trade such as this.
There’s no understating it, though, this is one of the biggest offseason moves to this point, and the biggest trade in terms of implications across MLB.
The Rangers’ front office had indicated they wanted to cut payroll this offseason, but they aren’t exactly doing that in this deal. Brandon Nimmo carries an eight-year, $162 million deal that runs through the 2030 season. Nimmo had spent all 10 seasons of his MLB career with the Mets, but will now wear new threads in 2026.
Jess Rapfogel/Getty ImagesMets outfielder Brandon Nimmo left Wednesday’s game against the Nationals because of a stiff neck.
In 2025, Nimmo hit 25 home runs, drove in 92 runs, and posted an OPS+ of 114. Over the past four seasons, Nimmo has averaged 22 home runs and has steadily had an OPS+ near 115. He’s a career. 262 hitter, who hit 135 home runs in 1,066 games with New York.
As for the Mets’ side of this deal, the front office has made it known that they want to get better on defense, especially in terms of run prevention, so they added a two-time Gold Glove winner in Marcus Semien.
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Rangers Losing Franchise Legend in Marcus Semien
Although Marcus Semien hadn’t spent his entire career with the Rangers, he certainly became the best version of himself playing in Arlington. He was named to the All-Star team twice in his four-year tenure with Texas and was a member of the Rangers’ only World Series title in 2023.
In 2025, Semien had a slight down season offensively. He posted a .230 average in 127 games, while hitting 15 home runs and driving in 62 runs. Semien is a career.253 hitter. Before this season, Semien was essentially a lock to play all 162 games.
Similar to Brandon Nimmo, Semien is also on a lengthy deal. He’s signed through 2020 on a seven-year, $175 million deal. The 35-year-old second baseman has led the AL in plate appearances four times. It will be interesting to see where he fits in the Mets lineup, but it’s an immediate upgrade up the middle of the infield at this point.
Pairing Semien with Francisco Lindor makes the Mets’ middle infield one of the best in MLB.
If this early trade is any indication of how both organizations will handle their offseason, both the Rangers and Mets are teams to watch out for over the next couple of months.
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