You Lost Nimmo

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In a legitimate blockbuster trade, the Mets sent their longest tenured player, 2011 1st round pick Brandon Nimmo, to the Texas Rangers. In exchange, the Mets acquired three-time All-Star second baseman Marcus Semien. 

While the deal was announced early Sunday evening, it seems that the two parties agreed to the trade on Friday. That was when Nimmo was contacted by the Mets, who asked him to consider waiving his full no-trade clause. The Wyoming native talked to his once-again teammate, old chum Jacob deGrom, and for that reason and others we will speculate upon until the end of our days, he agreed. 

Nimmo by all accounts is a good person, but he had a bad contract, which has five years and $103.5 million remaining. It was a pact that current President of Baseball Operations David Stearns had nothing to do with - it was the work of then general manager Billy Eppler (and Steve Cohen), and it’s understandable that Stearns was itching to get rid of it. While Brandon rated as a decent left fielder last season, he was noticeably slower, hampered at times with a recurring neck injury. When he signed the eight-year contract after the 2022 season, Nimmo was a center fielder whose stock in trade was getting on base. Just two years later, he was primarily a corner outfielder who focused more on power. Nimmo, who turns 33 next March, just seemed to age quicker than others. 

This trade marks the end of a five year era for the Mets with a core of Francisco Lindor, Pete Alonso, Jeff McNeil, and Nimmo. As much as the 2024 season convinced fans it was a winning foursome, so much so that Stearns famously said the perception that the core wasn’t a successful one was “bullshit”, 2025 made the OMG season look like an aberration. (If you don’t count 2024, the Mets won a grand total of one playoff game since 2021, Lindor’s first season with the club.) Clearly, the Metro powers-that-be figured something had to change. 

Jeff Passan reported that Brandon Nimmo was available via trade early last week, so this move isn’t a total shock. The most surprising aspect of it all is that Nimmo agreed, in less than 48 hours, to waive his no-trade clause, leaving the only organization he has ever known. He had been a Met for so long that allegedly Nimmo was disappointed to discover that even if he played every day for the entirety of his contract he would not pass Ed Kranepool for the record for most games played by a Met. 

So what gives? Well, Todd Zeile on SNY alluded to something we’ve been discussing here - probably too much - for a long time now:

"I do think that it's an absence to not have Brandon Nimmo in that locker room. I also think that his willingness to move that no-trade clause and take this trade tells me that there's something maybe even beneath the surface, under the radar about that clubhouse that maybe he knows better than we know.”

Back in March, Anthony DiComo wrote a revealing article which pointed out that Francisco Lindor can’t be named captain of the Mets without making an incorrect insinuation that Nimmo isn’t also a leader on the team. I’m certain this article is what Adam Ottavino was referring to last week when he said he thought Nimmo was “pissed” about the Lindor captain chatter. While I doubt Nimmo actively dislikes or hates Lindor personally, it’s possible he figured that Lindor isn’t going anywhere - he’s signed through 2031 - and Nimmo will never get the respect he thinks he deserves. And/or Nimmo figured he doesn’t want to be somewhere that doesn’t want him anymore. Whatever the case, Nimmo agreed to walk away from the Mets after 14 years. 

Okay, so who did the Mets get? They got the 35-year-old Marcus Semien, a second baseman who still has pretty good to great range and just won another Gold Glove. He has three years and $72 million left on his contract, which had a limited no-trade clause that did not have the Mets on it. HIs hitting has taken a nosedive the last two seasons, but the TL;DR is he was a little unlucky, if the fancy statistics mean anything, which they sometimes do. Not to mention the fact that, while Citi Field isn’t exactly a hitters paradise, he will no longer have to play half of his games at Globe Life Field, where fly balls go to die. If Semien is hitting in the bottom of the order, only the people that always complain will complain. In any case, Stearns wasn’t lying when he said “run prevention” was going to be the focus for 2026 and beyond. 

As far as Semien the person is concerned, none other than Gary Cohen vouched for him. "Everything I've ever heard about Marcus Semien tells me that he's going to be a breath of fresh air in that clubhouse because he is a very well-regarded person in his own right,” Gare said after the trade. “That certainly will change the nature of things just by his presence rather than Brandon's.” Before any schmuck like me will wonder if this was a slam against Nimmo, he added, “I think that you try and bring in high-character people. The Mets have traded one and they're bringing back another one."

DiComo reported that the Mets are considering McNeil, Carson Benge, and free agents Kyle Tucker and Cody Bellinger for the now vacant left field spot. It’s a reminder that this trade is just the beginning, and we should probably wait until February before we give Stearns a letter grade on the transactions he’ll pull off. 

That being said, I think this is a good deal. Brandon Nimmo will be missed, this is true. What is also true is that the only constant is change.

Will Sammon reported that Edwin Díaz and the Mets have hit a “sticking point”, i.e. Díaz is looking for another five-year deal and the Mets would prefer to sign him for fewer years than that. Just give him the five years you guys, come on. If Sugar doesn’t return, the Mets are talking to other options to close: Robert Suarez and Devin Williams. 

Tyrone Taylor and the Mets agreed to a $3.8 million contract for 2026 to avoid arbitration. MLB Trade Rumors figured he’d only get $3.6 million, so good for him.

While the Mets tendered contracts to injured pitchers Tylor Megill and Reed Garrett, as well as Huascar Brazoban, Francisco Alvarez, David Peterson and Luis Torrens, they non-tendered hurlers Max Kranick, Danny Young, and José Castillo, meaning the Mets 40-man roster currently consists of 37 players. Kranick, Young, and Castillo can still sign minor league deals with the Mets, if both parties so desire. 

Mark Vientos and Sean Manaea gave out turkeys at the Amazin’ Mets Foundation’s Turkey Giveaway on Friday. Swaggy V told reporters he’s working five days a week to improve his defense at first base and third base, although the Mets haven’t told him where he’s playing next season. Manaea said physically he’s “feeling great.” 

Before the trade for Semien, Jon Morosi reported that the Mets have interest in 2B-3B-LF Brendan Donovan. They still might, considering LF is still a QM (question mark). 

Francisco Lindor revealed that he poops right before every game. He fears he’s going to miss first pitch one day. Now when the game doesn’t start right on time I’m going to assume I know who is responsible. 

Juan Soto and Starling Marte were both at Bad Bunny’s concert in the Dominican Republic on the same night (Friday) that Mr. Met attended the Geese show at the Brooklyn Paramount (Geese are big Met fans). 

Here’s a nice little interview with Soto, who will participate in a Home Run Derby fundraiser in December. Oh no his swing will be ruined!

Oh boy. The Mets play the Rangers in Texas during the final week of the 2026 regular season.

20 years ago today, the Mets acquired Carlos Delgado from the Marlins in a trade.