This might not make the Rangers cheaper, but it does make the offense better.

The Rangers have acquired outfielder Brandon Nimmo from the Mets. All it cost them was Marcus Semien. 

Taking money out of the equation, it seems the Rangers pulled a fast one on the Mets.

Semien is still a gold glove caliber defender at second. But his offensive skills have disappeared. On Friday they jettisoned Adolis Garcia and Jonah Heim, the other two culprits in this Rangers offensive demise the past two seasons. 

In the past two seasons, Semien has hit .237, then .230. His OPS went from a dismal .699 in ’24 to an even dismal-er .669 in ’25. His OPS+ went from 126 in 2023 to 103 to 97. That is a seismic drop in offense. Now he is the Mets problem.

Nimmo batted .262 last year. Drove in ninety-two runs, with an OPS of .740. He bats left, plays left and center, and hits lefties and righties almost equally well. He does, however, suffer from Adolis Garcia syndrome. He strikes out a lot, which is not what this offense needs.

But Nimmo is thirty-two, he will be thirty-three when the season starts. Semien is thirty-five. 

The Rangers got a bit younger, a bit better. This doesn’t solve their offensive woes, but it’s a start.

So long, Marcus Semien. Thanks for 2023 and good luck in New York. Welcome Brandon Nimmo. You’ve escaped the Mets.