Mets still have a Marcus Semien problem, and Brandon Nimmo is only making it worse

Mets still have a Marcus Semien problem, and Brandon Nimmo is only making it worse originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The reality is that Marcus Semien may simply not be returning to the level he once played at.

There was always a risk of that when the New York Mets traded for the 35-year old second baseman this offseason. He likely is on his career downswing.

Making matters worse is that the guy they traded for Semien, Brandon Nimmo, looks energized with the Texas Rangers.

Semien is batting just .220 with a miserable .575 OPS this season.

"Semien was worth 3.3 WAR last season, and the Mets were hoping for something close to that when they acquired him for Brandon Nimmo this past offseason, but Semien's power erosion continues," ESPN's David Schoenfield wrote in a new article on Tuesday in which he called Semien this season's most disappointing second baseman so far. "He had 73 extra-base hits in the Rangers' World Series win in 2023, but is on pace for 35 this season."

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Nimmo is hitting .280 with an .806 OPS.

The Mets felt they could navigate the outfield with Juan Soto, rising prospect Carson Benge and the hoped-for signing of that did indeed turn into reality.