The New York Mets traded outfielder Brandon Nimmo to the Texas Rangers in exchange for infielder Marcus Semien, as reported by ESPN's Jeff Passan on November 23, 2025. This veteran-for-veteran swap allows the Mets to address infield needs and gain financial flexibility, while the Rangers aim to improve their outfield offense. Both players are on long-term contracts amid declining performances.
The trade, announced early on November 23, 2025, involves two established players locked into multi-year deals. Brandon Nimmo, signed to an eight-year, $162 million contract through 2030, has shown signs of decline. The 32-year-old outfielder posted OPS+ marks of 106 and 114 over the last two seasons, down from a 131 average from 2020-2023, while his defensive value in the field has deteriorated significantly. He can no longer play center field effectively and may transition to a corner outfield or designated hitter role in the coming years.
In return, the Mets acquire Marcus Semien, who is 35 and coming off his worst offensive year with a .669 OPS and 97 OPS+. Semien's seven-year, $175 million deal runs through 2028 and carries an annual salary about $5 million higher than Nimmo's. However, his strong defense at second base and exceptional durability—playing at least 155 games in eight of the last 10 full seasons—make him a valuable asset. The Mets view this as an upgrade over Jeff McNeil at second base, improving their infield defense with Francisco Lindor at shortstop and Brett Baty likely at third base. This move clears the Mets' corner outfield logjam and provides long-term flexibility, potentially opening paths to pursue players like Kyle Tucker.
For the Rangers, Nimmo slots into right field alongside Wyatt Langford and Evan Carter, offering an offensive boost with his above-average hitting, on-base skills, and 20-home-run power. The salary difference aids their efforts to stay under the luxury tax in 2026, but it creates a new need at second base. Texas now faces pressure to contend immediately, as they are committed to Nimmo for five more years, a longer term than Semien's. Trade grades reflect the mixed outcomes: B- for the Mets and C- for the Rangers.