""It's a recognition that what we did last year wasn't good enough and running it back with the exact same group wasn't the right thing to do," Stearns said on a Monday Zoom with reporters. "He (Semien) balances our lineup from the right side which is something we were seeking to do.""
""This is a player that can contribute to winning baseball in a variety of different ways," he stated. "The bat may not lead the way at this point in his career...What we're counting on is the contributions he can make for us defensively (and) how he can perform on the bases. We think that's how he can help us win games.""
""As I've said before we'd love to have Edwin and Pete back," Stearns said. "They are both great Mets. I'm not going to get into any specifics of any conversations we've had (with them) to this point.""
The Mets traded outfielder Brandon Nimmo to the Texas Rangers for second baseman Marcus Semien, a swap of high-priced veterans aimed at changing roster composition. The move sought to avoid repeating last season's approach after a second-half slump that cost a postseason appearance following an NLCS run in 2024. Semien, 35, recorded an OPS of .669 and hit .230 with 15 home runs last year, his fewest in a full season since 2018. The team expects Semien to contribute defensively and on the bases even if his bat is not primary. The trade creates outfield opportunities for Jeff McNeil and prospects and could shift McNeil to first base. Pete Alonso and Edwin Díaz remain free agents, and the team expressed a desire to retain both while declining to elaborate on negotiations.
Read at ESPN.com
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