NEW YORK – Second baseman Marcus Semien was working out in Texas on Friday when his agent, Scott Boras, informed him that the Rangers were close to dealing him to the Mets for outfielder Brandon Nimmo.

Semien wasn’t surprised.

With the Rangers missing the postseason for the second consecutive year, Semien knew changes were possible, and the trade became official on Sunday after Nimmo waived his no-trade clause.  Semien is expected to be the everyday second baseman for New York in 2026.

“In the back of my mind, I knew something could always happen,” Semien revealed. “We are a family of seven. We just had our fifth child three weeks ago. Those kinds of things, logistically, we will work out. But in terms of baseball itself, I couldn’t be more excited to play in a large market, play in front of a fanbase that brings the energy every single night because that brings the best out of me.” 

Marcus Semien Likes NY Mets Youth and Passion

Semien is familiar with what the Mets have on their roster. While on the Injured List with a left foot injury, Semien was in the visiting dugout watching the Rangers play a three-game series against the Mets last September with Texas taking two out of three games. 

“I just sat back and I watched the passion the Mets were playing with,” Semien recalled. “I like the young pitching staff they were putting out there. I was thinking about that series and imagining myself on that [Mets] side now. It makes me really excited.” 

Semien’s defensive skills are the main reasons he is a member of the Mets. While he had a poor season by his standards in the batter’s box, Semien, 35, won the second Gold Glove of his career. In ‘25, Semien played 127 games.  It was just the second time in the last right seasons that he played less than 159 games. The Bay Area Bro made just two errors and recorded a plus-five in defensive runs saved. That was good enough for a career-high .996 fielding percentage. 

Defense isn’t the only intangible that impressed the Mets. Semien has a great work ethic, and his leadership skills should improve the atmosphere in the clubhouse and on the field. Mets general manager David Stearns went so far as to describe Semien as a winning player. Semien wants to make sure that everybody in the clubhouse is on the same page.

“That’s what people are looking for in this industry,” Semien explained. “For me, a winning player means someone who is going to go out there every single day and give it his all – sacrifice themselves for the team, put their body on the line for the team, go out there and play baseball and try to do the things that help you win the game.”

Marcus Semien Believes He’s Still All-Star Caliber  

Semien believes he still has a lot to offer at the plate despite having a slash line of .230/.305/.364 with 15 homers last year. His season came to an end on Aug. 21 after fouling a ball off his left foot against the Royals. He ended up with a cracked bone and sprained ligament in the foot, but now said he is 100 percent. 

Semien has already talked to Jeff Albert, the Mets director of Major League hitting, on what he can do to be regain his MVP-caliber stroke. Semien is a three-time All-Star who has reached the century mark in RBI twice in his career. The last coming in 2023, when he helped the Rangers capture their first-ever World Series title. 

The Mets are celebrating the 40th anniversary of their last World Series title in 1986 and Semien hopes to be a presence on the field and in the clubhouse. 

“I think I will definitely be a presence in that locker room that guys can lean on. That’s always been a goal of mine to be that [way],” he said. “I’m excited to join two leaders in Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto… I’m excited to learn from them and bounce things off of them.”