Mets end Brandon Nimmo drama quickly with bizarre blockbuster Rangers trade

While Corey Seager was the Texas Rangers' infielder that New York Mets fans were ready to ticket for Citi Field, the Mets had a different All-Star on their mind. In what is otherwise a slow news week for Major League Baseball, the Mets have added All-Star second baseman Marcus Semien from the Rangers in exchange for outfielder Brandon Nimmo.

It was busy cost-cutting weeks for the Rangers, who non-tendered outfielder Adolis Garcia and catcher Jonah Heim. Facing a payroll crunch, there was speculation that they would entertain the idea of moving Seager; instead, the Mets acted swiftly to land Semien.

Mets land All-Star infielder Marcus Semien from Texas Rangers while silencing Brandon Nimmo drama.

Given how the Mets' playoff hopes faded away quietly in September, there was an expectation that the team would make a big splash this offseason. Though no one would have earmarked Semien as being that move. However, with now an opening in the outfield, perhaps the Mets get involved in the sweepstakes for Kyle Tucker. Cody Bellinger could also be a potential option to replace Nimmo in the outfield.

Semien is in the middle of a seven-year deal worth $175MM. The 35-year-old second baseman is owed $26MM in 2026 and 2027 before making $20MM in 2028, the final year of the deal. Meanwhile, Nimmo is set to make $20.5MM in each season through 2030.

A report from USA Today's Bob Nightengale confirmed the Mets are absorbing the remaining $72MM owed to Semien. Unless the Mets are also kicking in some money to cover Nimmo's contract, $101.25MM, it would seem that New York has made out nicely in this contract swap.

Above all else, this seems to be the case of a team trading their bad contract for another team's bad contract. Since signing his 8-year deal with the Mets before 2023, Nimmo has regressed toward being a slightly above-average player instead of the impact bat he was ascending toward before his new money. Not to mention, there was some drama behind the scenes with Nimmo taking issue with a reporter's hypothetical "All-New York Team".

As far as next steps for the Mets, Semien's arrival could fully push Jeff McNeil onto the trade market. They also cleared $30MM from their books moving forward, so a big swing in free agency could still be coming.