Which Version of Marcus Semien Will the Mets Get In 2026?

The first trade of the New York Mets retooling made this offseason was the acquisition of veteran second baseman Marcus Semien. New York offloaded the remaining five years of Brandon Nimmo’s contract to Texas in exchange for Semien and the final three years on his deal.

As he enter his age 35 season, it’s up in the air what kind of production the Mets will receive from Semien in 2026. It’s a fair question, given his age and the fact that he is coming off of the worst full season of his career at the plate.

In all likelihood, this represents Semien’s final opportunity to be an everyday player. If he struggles, the Mets have younger options they could plug in at second base in his place.

Let’s breakdown what the Mets should realistically expect from Semien in 2026.

No-Doubt About the Defense

If one thing is certain, Semien will provide positive defensive value in 2026. He won his second career Gold Glove award in 2025, posting 7 Outs Above Average and plus-6 fielding run value at second base. Since moving from shortstop to second base in 2021, Semien ranks eighth in all of baseball in Outs Above Average with 53.

Mets President of Baseball Operations David Stearns made it clear that one of his goals this offseason was to improve the team defensively – a major factor in the decision to acquire Semien. Pairing him with Francisco Lindor gives the Mets an elite defensive pairing up the middle.

The addition of Semien kills two birds with one stone for Stearns and the Mets. He provides a steady, everyday presence at second base and elite defensive value.

New York used four different players at second base last season. Semien should eliminate that revolving door.

Can the Bat Bounce Back?

The biggest question surrounding Semien as he enters his first season with the Mets is whether he can rebound at the plate.

After finishing third in American League MVP voting in 2023, Semien’s production at the dish declined sharply. Over the last two seasons combined, he slashed .234/.307/.379 with a 96 wRC+. 

Semien’s power outage in 2025 came despite posting similar bat speed and batted-ball metrics to his career norms. The primary issue was a reduced ability to pull the ball in the air compared to years prior.

Of his 253 career home runs, only six have been hit to the opposite field. Semien is about as dead pull of a hitter that exists in baseball today. As his rate of pulled fly balls declined, so did his power production.

On top of the lack of power, Semien’s first two months of the season were dreadful. He recorded just five extra-base hits in April and May and posted a batting average below the Mendoza line in between the two months. He began to find his rhythm in June, but his season ended in August after fouling a ball off of his left foot.

No matter what month of the season it was, Semien struggled in home games for the Rangers. Since opening in 2020, Globe Life Field has developed a reputation as a pitcher-friendly park. The Rangers posted the lowest team ERA in 2025 but missed the playoffs as their offense faltered.

Citi Field is generally regarded as more hitter-friendly park than Globe Life Field and features more favorable left field conditions catering to Semien’s pull side. Those factors could work in Semien’s favor and help boost his offensive production in 2026.

The Intangibles

Semien’s impact extends beyond the stat sheet. The veteran presence and World Series experience he brings to the Mets are invaluable.

People around baseball have long praised about Semien’s leadership and his influence on younger players. During his lone season with Toronto in 2021, he served as a mentor for a then-23-year-old Bo Bichette. Bichette credited Semien tremendously for taking him under his wing in 2021 with the Blue Jays. The two are set to reunite in Flushing this year.

The 35-year-old also played an integral part in the Rangers’ 2023 World Series championship. Combining elite production on both sides of the ball with being a clubhouse leadership as the teams de facto captain.

Semien’s durability is another strong trait of his. The aforementioned foot injury he suffered last season marked only the second time he landed on the injured list throughout his 13-year career. He has played in all 162 games three separate times.

The Mets struggled with clubhouse leadership in 2025, a key factor in their disappointing season. Regardless of the numbers Semien produces on the field, his presence could prove key for New York in 2026.

2026 Should Be Positive

Count Marcus Semien out for National League MVP Award in 2026. The Mets do not need him to return to his prime form. What they need is a steady presence at second base, strong defense a modest rebound at the plate and meaningful clubhouse leadership.

A realistic expectation for Semien this season is something between his exceptional 2023 campaign and his disappointing 2024 and 2025 seasons. His combined wRC+ across those three years is 108. If he can provide New York production in that range and serve as a consistent presence in the back half of their lineup, there should be no reason for complaints on his overall output.

If he does just that, Stearns will have pulled off a great deal when, seemingly out of the blue, he offloaded five more years of Brandon Nimmo in exchange for the infield staple the Mets desperately needed.