David Stearns’ reasons for Mets’ stunning Brandon Nimmo trade…
David Stearns signaled that Marcus Semien match the Mets better than Brandon Nimmo in nearly every space: on the discipline and in the lineup; in the clubhouse; within his contractual scenario.
So after the Mets spent round $340 million last season to observe the playoffs from dwelling, Stearns was not going to let sentiment dissuade him from a transfer that he felt would place the team better for now and later.
“I think it’s a recognition that what we did last year wasn’t good enough,” the Mets president of baseball operations said after off-loading the club’s longest-tenured participant, “and running back the exact same group wasn’t the right thing to do.”
On Monday he formally delivered a blow to the team’s longtime core, sending Nimmo and $5 million to the Rangers to accumulate a defensively wonderful second baseman in Semien in a stunning trade.
According to Stearns, talks between the groups started to realize steam towards the end of the GM conferences that befell about two weeks in the past. On Thursday, Stearns called Nimmo and briefed him on the potential trade, which required consent from a lifelong Met, drafted in 2011, with a no-trade clause.
Brandon Nimmo #9 of the New York Mets reacts after he strikes out against the Philadelphia Phillies. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
Nimmo talked with household, Rangers president of baseball operations Chris Young and Jacob deGrom, among others, and believed he would have an opportunity at profitable a World Series in Texas, and so he signed off on a uncommon one-for-one, expensive-veteran-for-expensive-veteran swap.
For a Mets team that is decided to enhance in “run prevention,” in Stearns parlance, Semien will likely be a strong double-play associate with Francisco Lindor and an upgrade from Jeff McNeil.
The two-time Gold Glover is “one of the best defensive infielders in baseball and has been for a number of years,” Stearns said. Nimmo, whose dash speed has diminished, had been a part of a defensively suspect outfield group with Juan Soto, who will stay in proper discipline. Thus buying and selling Nimmo improved the infield protection and was the clearest avenue towards bettering the outfield protection.
Nimmo, 32, has been a far better hitter than Semien, 35, over the past few seasons. But Stearns craved a righty like Semien. And he believes there’s more in Semien’s bat and that Semien is more than his bat.
“This is a player that can contribute to winning baseball in a variety of different ways,” Stearns said over Zoom about Semien, who thrice has completed third in MVP voting however posted a .669 OPS last season. “And the bat could not truly lead the manner at this point in his profession. We suppose there’s probably some bounce again in his offensive profile, in his offensive game.
“What we’re counting on at the top of his skill set is the contributions he can make for us defensively, how he can perform on the bases.”
Marcus Semien #2 of the Texas Rangers at second base. Getty Images
He also will contribute in the clubhouse, Stearns believes. Entering his 14th big league season, Semien is a well-respected and hardworking professional who performs every day and received a World Series with the Rangers.
Nimmo was beloved and a pacesetter in Queens, however the trade will at the least shake up a Mets combine that didn’t save them from a chronic collapse in 2025.
“He’s a winner,” Stearns said of Semien. “He brings a winning drive and determination that we think is going to fit well in our clubhouse.”
Semien was out there because of his personal offensive downturn and because he’s owed $72 million over the next three seasons. Nimmo was partly out there because of the $101.25 million he’s due for the next 5 seasons.
Add in the $5 million Steve Cohen is attaching, and the Mets are getting out of about $24.25 million and two back-end seasons of a prolonged contract.
Perhaps the financial savings in cash and time period allow the Mets to more willingly provide an enormous contract to another free agent. Kyle Tucker, whose bat is the best out there, and Cody Bellinger, a defensively savvy participant who does the whole lot nicely, are the top outfielders on the market.
Or maybe the absence of a handsomely paid left fielder creates alternatives for some of the Mets outfield prospects, notably Carson Benge, Jett Williams and A.J. Ewing, next season and past.
“We think this opens up possibilities and flexibility for us going forward, both from a near-term perspective and also allowing space for a number of very young outfielders who are coming, who are talented and will deserve spots at the major league level,” Stearns said. “And this transaction also offers room for that to occur as we transfer ahead.
“These are always tough decisions. This was not easy. … But in order to create the type of sustainable championship-caliber play that we seek to have here, at times these types of decisions are necessary.”
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