Outfielder Brandon Nimmo was officially introduced to the Texas Rangers media at Globe Life Field on Thursday, following his trade from the New York Mets. The 32-year-old expressed excitement about joining his new team and building relationships with teammates. Nimmo, acquired for Marcus Semien on Nov. 24, will wear No. 24 in honor of his idol Ken Griffey Jr.
Brandon Nimmo's move to the Texas Rangers marks a significant change after 15 years with the Mets organization, including 10 seasons in the major leagues. The Cheyenne, Wyoming native, selected 11th overall in the 2011 MLB Draft, was traded in a one-for-one deal for veteran second baseman Marcus Semien on Nov. 24. Under contract through 2030 via an eight-year, $162 million extension signed before the 2023 season, Nimmo brings durability and production to the Rangers' lineup. Last season, he batted .262/.324/.436 with 25 home runs and 92 RBIs while playing 155 games.
During his introduction at Globe Life Field ahead of the Winter Meetings in Orlando, Nimmo shared personal insights. The stadium holds special meaning as the last place his grandmother, Claudine, watched him play in June 2024 before her passing in October. "I'm excited to get to know everybody as a player, but I'm more excited to get to know everybody as a person," Nimmo said. "People don't realize we're around teammates more than we are our family during the season. So that bond needs to be of the utmost importance, and I'm really looking forward to starting those relationships with guys."
Nimmo, married to Chelsea with a 1-year-old daughter, plans to settle his family in Texas. He discussed balancing family time with professional demands: "I want to be spending as much time as I can with my daughter, but I need to be devoting as much time as I possibly can to my job and being the very best that I can be at that."
The Rangers, who non-tendered catcher Jonah Heim, aim to bolster their roster at catcher and relief pitching, with possible additions at starting pitcher. President of baseball operations Chris Young noted, "You can never have enough pitching so we'll always look to try to improve and deepen our options there. But catching we have to address and same with our relief pitching." Free-agent options include J.T. Realmuto, Victor Caratini, Danny Jansen, and Christian Vázquez. For second base post-Semien trade, internal candidates like Josh Smith, Ezequiel Duran, and Sam Haggerty provide depth, per general manager Ross Fenstermaker: "We've got more options at second base than at the catching position currently, so it hasn't been a primary focus for us."