Latest Phillies rumors could quickly spoil how NY Mets fans feel about Marcus Semien

The New York Mets and manhy of their fans are reveling in the glow of their latest blockbuster acquisition, Marcus Semien. Adding the 2025 Gold Glover to the fold at second base will go a long way toward achieving the run prevention upgrades that David Stearns has made a top priority.

The club, of course, is not done by any stretch. Two-thirds of the outfield is still unsettled (though center might be a caretaking situation with Tyrone Taylor holding down the fort until Carson Benge is ready), while the pitching staff has multiple needs. Therefore, it's important not to get ahead of one's self basking in the good vibes.

In addition to the internal needs, there's an external threat to the warm and fuzzy feeling Semien's addition has created throughout Queens, as the Mets' chief rival, the Philadelphia Phillies, might be set to one-up them at their own game. After watching the Mets take a big swing to upgrade the keystone, the Phillies are thinking of doing the same, eyeing their own blockbuster trade for Ketel Marte.

The Phillies could one-up the Mets and spoil the Marcus Semien good vibes by landing the superior player in Ketel Marte

As much as there is to like about Semien, there are some red flags as well. Throughout his career, he has always been a streaky hitter. For example, his prime stretch saw some wild fluctuation, with 15 homers and a 97 wRC+ in 2018, followed by a 33-homer and 138 wRC+ campaign in 2019. That 2019 performance gave way to a seven-homer and 93 wRC+ showing in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, while his 2021 campaign was a banner year, clocking a career-high 45 homers and recording a 131 wRC+.

Those years covered his age-27 through age-30 seasons, after which he developed a bit more consistency, though there was still some variance. Now moving into his mid-30s, Semien has seen age take hold, slashing .237/.308/.391 in 2024 and .230/.305/.264 in 2025. The prime benefit now is his glove, but even that has seemingly slowed with outs above average totals falling from 19 in 2024 to seven this year.

Semien is under contract through 2028, giving the Mets control of his age-35 through age-37 seasons, far from his prime.

Meanwhile, Marte is three years younger and still at the top of his game. The dynamic second baseman slashed .283/.376/.517 with 28 homers in 2025, which was an apt follow-up to his .292/.372/.560 2024 campaign.

Semien is the better defender (though for how much longer is the question), with Marte still looking slightly above average, posting eight outs above average in 2024 and one this year.

The Semien trade was about more than simply improving the infield defense, however. While the Mets are taking on more salary in the short-term, they're freeing themselves of the five years remaining on Brandon Nimmo's deal in exchange for just three years of Semien. That has some value.

But what will matter most is how they follow up. If they land one of these big fish to pair with Semien, things will be all sunshine and rainbows. However, if they strike out and watch Philadelphia pluck Marte away from the Arizona Diamondbacks, they'll be looking down I-95, wishing that they had gotten the superstar option, rather than the glove-first veteran who might be on his last legs.