Re-grading the 4 major NY Mets trades of the offseason

Brandon Nimmo for Marcus Semien: C

I’ve come down from the cloud after this trade because the Mets failed to replace Brandon Nimmo in the best way possible. Clearing his salary and position in left field didn’t result in them adding Kyle Tucker. If this had been the end result, this C grade improves.

Instead, we get a very average re-grade. Marcus Semien is coming off of two poor offensive seasons. We shouldn’t have any reason to believe he’s about to go vintage. The defense should show up, but if the Mets force him into the top or middle of the lineup for too long, they’re going to pay.

The Nimmo for Semien swap had more layers than a wedding cake. Was it based on the alleged issues between Nimmo and Francisco Lindor or was that all overblown? Clearing his contract gives the Mets more wiggle room in the future. How they eventually use those savings can have this trade quietly feeling a little bit better.

It’s a very simple trade to look at in some regards. The Mets got a better defender. The Texas Rangers received a better hitter with more immediate salary relief for three seasons. Their own alleged toxic situation between Semien and Corey Seager seemed to be a precursor to them signing off on this trade. Only because this was one of the MLB offseason’s first major splashes does it not seem to get as much attention as some other Mets transactions.

This trade feels like it has F potential with a high as good as a B or so. Nimmo isn’t ready to crash and burn in Texas. Semien is already past his prime. There is way too much potential for this trade to be one of the best or worst in franchise history. Something tells me a large portion of fans have already made up their mind and will find every suggestion to fit the narrative they want.