Where Marcus Semien specifically improves the NY Mets defense at 2B over Jeff McNeil

Marcus Semien has been known for his defense. His three Gold Gloves at second base have been a major part of what has helped him be a three-time third-place finisher in the MVP vote. Although the offensive numbers are clearly on the decline, he’s going to give the New York Mets an improved infield defense over what they had with Jeff McNeil.

It might not be statistically as significant when we look at numbers like Outs Above Average (OAA). Last year, McNeil was worth 4. Semien was at 7.

The big difference, and this goes back a few years, is how McNeil’s defense has been going to his right. Up the middle, McNeil rated with a -3 in 2023, -5 in 2024, and 0 this past year. Meanwhile, Semien was at 5, 9, 4 in those same years. The difference on defense is clear.

Marcus Semien gives the Mets infield range that Jeff McNeil hasn’t had

Being able to go left or right has been a strong suit of Semien’s over the last three seasons. Formerly a shortstop known for not playing the position so well, he successfully translated into one of the game’s best second basemen. McNeil’s career has had him squarely at second base more often than not with sprinkles at other places. He has never been a Gold Glove candidate, but more often than not played second base at an above-average clip, even this past year.

This could tell us a few things about what the Mets have planned next. Defense is such a deep part of the game that requires more than looking at who won a Gold Glove. With Semien’s 4 OAA to his left and another 4 to his right (-1 moving inward for whatever it’s worth), the Mets are getting about the same defensive abilities from their starting second baseman while lateraling toward first base.

Interestingly, Francisco Lindor had one of his worst defensive seasons moving toward third base last year. Semien being able to cover a little more up the middle may only slightly help the Mets here. It puts less pressure on Lindor to cover ground McNeil was unable to. We’d love to think of one thing leading directly into an improvement in the other place. We know better than to conclude this is exactly how things will go.

Improved second base defense will also give the Mets less incentive to disqualify a poor defender at first base. Pete Alonso’s sinking reputation as a defender becomes more acceptable with Semien beside him. It still doesn’t assure us he’ll be back as the goal may always just be to upgrade elsewhere or find someone who can cover more ground than the Polar Bear.