Failed trade haunting Mets as team is hitting rock bottom

This year’s Miami Marlins might be a tall step above last year’s squad, but being swept by the Fightin’ Fish still isn’t a good look for any team. This is just one of the more recent embarrassments the New York Mets have suffered. 

Truth be told, after embarking on a 12-game losing streak, the bar was already low. However, the series loss has fallen directly on the meager offense. The Mets scored just two runs in three games against the Marlins, including going down in a shutout on Sunday without Juan Soto in the lineup.

Monday’s bout against the Cincinnati Reds didn’t offer much relief, with the Mets losing 7-2. Of many moves that owner Steve Cohen and general manager David Stearns made over the offseason, one trade, in particular, is coming back to haunt the Mets.

The Mets need more from Marcus Semien 

Marcus Semien was one of the few bright spots in Monday’s drubbing, going 2-for-4 with a home run. But, at a glance, his season has not been what the Mets need. Semien is hitting .219/.268/.316 with four long balls. Even his once-great defense has regressed to the tune of -3 outs above average.

In trading for him, the Mets’ front office may have ignored the decline in Semien’s stats, instead seeing visions of grandeur, reminiscing about his 45 home runs in 2021. Throw in his Gold Glove defense at second base, and there was definite upside to betting on Semien. And coming off a down season, the Mets were eager to buy low on a bounce-back candidate. However, it would seem they didn’t buy low enough. 

The Mets sent Brandon Nimmo and cash to the Texas Rangers in the deal. Nimmo, who has successfully tallied 20+ home runs a season for the past three years while posting respectable stat lines, is now a key producer for Texas. He is hitting .268/.351/.429 with six home runs for his new team.

There is always a chance Semien could be a key producer once more, but taking a chance on him after years of decline may not have been the safest bet. And, in hindsight, it may have been a rash decision to acquire him at the expense of a solid bat in Nimmo. At a time when New York's offense is suffering, and the team is sitting at 22-32, every mistake finds itself at the center of attention.