The New York Mets have acquired Gold Glove second baseman Marcus Semien from the Texas Rangers in exchange for outfielder Brandon Nimmo and cash considerations. This trade marks the end of Nimmo’s decade-long tenure with the Mets since the start of his career. A source familiar with the deal revealed that Nimmo agreed to waive his no-trade clause in the eight-year, $162 million contract he signed after becoming a free agent post the 2022 season. The source requested anonymity as this specific detail was not publicly disclosed.
Nimmo, a left-handed hitter aged 32, is set to earn $20.25 million annually until 2030. Additionally, he will receive a $1 million assignment bonus from the Mets for agreeing to waive his no-trade clause. As part of the agreement, the Mets will transfer $5 million to the Rangers by September 18.
Semien, who played for the Toronto Blue Jays in 2021, has three seasons remaining on his seven-year, $175 million contract with the Rangers, signed in December 2021. This signing coincided with the Rangers acquiring World Series MVP shortstop Corey Seager in a 10-year, $325 million deal through free agency. The duo formed a formidable middle infield that led the Rangers to their sole World Series victory in 2023. Despite this success, the team has struggled in recent seasons, achieving a .500 record for the first time in franchise history in the most recent season.
Several key players instrumental in the Rangers’ World Series triumph, including Adolis Garcia, Jonah Heim, and Josh Sborz, became free agents after the team decided not to offer them contracts for the 2026 season.
Despite missing the final portion of the season due to injury, Semien, a two-time Gold Glove winner at 35 years old, had a strong performance in 2026. He batted .230 with 15 home runs and 62 RBIs in 127 games, maintaining a .249 average with 93 home runs and 319 RBIs during his four-year tenure with the Rangers.
Throughout his career spanning various teams, Semien, a three-time All-Star, has accumulated a .253 batting average, 253 home runs, and 801 RBIs in 1,629 games. Nimmo, drafted by the Mets in 2011, boasts a career on-base percentage of .364 and has excelled as a leadoff hitter with consistent run-scoring performances.
Meanwhile, the Colorado Rockies have announced the appointment of Warren Schaeffer as their permanent manager. Schaeffer had been serving in an interim capacity following the dismissal of Bud Black in May after a disappointing start to the season. The Rockies finished the season with a 43-119 record, placing them last in the NL West division. Schaeffer, a 40-year-old who has been part of the Rockies organization for over a decade, becomes the eighth full-time manager in the club’s history.
“We’re confident that Warren is the ideal leader for our team going forward,” stated Rockies president of baseball operations Paul DePodesta. “He has built strong relationships with our players, understands the culture of our franchise, and embodies the energy and work ethic we value both on and off the field.”