Juan Soto discusses Mets’ failure despite lofty expectations for 2025
After the Mets were eliminated from playoff contention on the season’s final day, Juan Soto discussed what went wrong on Sept. 28, 2025, in Miami.
Marcus Semien has had a few days to ponder what it will be like taking the right side of the infield at Citi Field since he learned of trade negotiations between the Mets and Rangers last Friday.
Semien was not on the diamond for the Rangers when they visited Flushing late last season. The 35-year-old was busy recovering from a fractured left foot but he was still soaking in the vibe.
“I’m excited to join a ball club that has good veteran players, great veteran players, Hall of Famers and strong young players that look hungry,” Semien said in a video conference on Tuesday. “… I liked the passion that the Mets players were playing with. I like the young pitching staff that they were putting out there, the stuff those guys had.
“I’ve just been thinking about that series and imagining myself on that side now and it makes me really excited.”
The 13-year veteran said New York has been his favorite road city over the course of his career. Now, Semien could spend his next three seasons — the final trio on his seven-year, $175 million deal — in that new home.
Marcus Semien understands task of replacing Brandon Nimmo
When Nimmo was approached about the possibility of being traded late last week, the outfielder told reporters that it took him as a “shock.” Much of the sentiment around the fan base was the same after Nimmo had spent all 14 seasons of his professional career within the organization.
Semien understands there is pressure to replace the large presence left by Nimmo, and will lean on his wealth of experience to fill in some of the essence that has exited with their homegrown player.
“I feel for the fans. I want to get to know the fans, get to know the community, let my game do the talking,” Semien said. “I think I definitely will be a presence in that locker room that guys can learn on. That’s always a goal of mine to be that for my teammates.”
He has the leadership chops
Much like Nimmo, Semien has been universally-lauded for his character in the clubhouse and was regarded as a leader inside the Rangers clubhouse.
Even with the “Hall of Fame” personalities of Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto already present, Semien knows his consistency on and off the field is one of his best assets.
“My style as a leader, it’s definitely something that has evolved,” Semien said. “I think the one thing that has remained constant for me is leading by example — leading by example with how I work, leading by example with how I respect each member of the organization. Treat everybody like a man or a woman, whoever, you’re working with.
“For me, I’m mostly talking about my teammates here, respect them, help them through tough times, get to know them as a person, get to know their families so that when we go out to battle, we know how each other is going to react.”
With one of the franchise’s pillars – and its longest-tenured member – heading south, Semien’s winning profile was something that attracted the Mets.
Constantly trying to get better
Semien was brought in for his Gold Glove-caliber defense at second base, his baserunning ability and temperament on and off the field, but he discussed his disappointment with how he performed offensively in 2025.
The Bay Area-native had been used to providing an MVP-caliber bat – he three times finished in third in MVP voting and won two Silver Sluggers before 2024 – but that capability particularly slipped last season. He finished with a .669 OPS – his lowest since his second season back in 2014 – with 16 home runs and 62 RBI.
“May and June was definitely the hottest I’ve been last year, and there’s definitely some things that Jeff Albert and Troy Snitker and the rest of the hitting crew will look at what I do when I’m at my best and help me better understand those things,” Semien said.
“Sometimes, as hitters, we just go off feel and we don’t know exactly why it’s working, but we go with it, but a lot of information has been coming my way.”
Defense remains Semien’s calling card. He spent the first half of his career at shortstop for the Athletics and has been able to transition that range to the right side.
“Winning the Gold Glove (this year) was special to me, especially where I came from earlier in my career, where defense was the question mark and the bat was what everybody was excited about, so it’s been cool.”
Mets projected lineup for the 2026 seasonFrancisco Lindor, SSMarcus Semien, 2BJuan Soto, RFPete Alonso, 1BCody Bellinger, LFBrett Baty, 3BMark Vientos, DHFrancisco Alvarez, CTyrone Taylor, CF
Outlook: The major question for the Mets now that they have sent out Nimmo will be how they can fill the left-field hole.
On Monday afternoon, David Stearns said that he can envision a scenario where the Mets are able to bring back Pete Alonso, Edwin Diaz and add a high-end outfielder. Bellinger, with his penchant for getting on base, providing some pop and positional versatility, would be an incredible add for the Mets.
The front office clearly thinks highly of outfield prospect Carson Benge, who could compete for a major league spot in spring training. As he, or Jett Williams gets their feet under them, Tyrone Taylor can occupy center field in the short term.