Brandon Nimmo Gives Thoughts on 2026 Mets

Brandon Nimmo was traded to the Rangers during the offseason.

by Logan VanDine

Sep 22, 2026

Brandon Nimmo of the Texas Rangers.

Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

As the New York Mets begin a three-game series with the Texas Rangers this week, they will also be seeing a familiar face.

That familiar face is, of course, Brandon Nimmo, whom the Mets traded to the Rangers for veteran infielder Marcus Semien early in the offseason. The move was stunning at the time and the first indication of a major shakeup to New York’s core.

The Mets drafted Nimmo in the first round of the 2011 Draft, and he made his big-league debut in 2016. Despite being the longest-tenured Met and in only the third year of a lucrative eight-year, $162 million contract, the Mets thought it was time for a major change.

Now, for the first time since the trade, the Amazins will see the former fan favorite, who gave his input on the 2026 Mets.

“It’s been a tale of two stories,” Nimmo said. “The team from the beginning is much different than the team they are now. I think it’s a real formidable team over there, they’re playing good baseball.”

While it is true that the Mets have played much better baseball since the trade deadline passed, resulting in Andy Green being named the full-time manager, it’s hard to imagine seeing the Mets as winners in this trade.

Entering Tuesday, Nimmo is slashing .260/.325/.407 with 14 home runs, 61 RBI, 34 doubles and a .732 OPS in 149 games for Texas. It’s been a different story offensively for the aforementioned Semien, whom the Mets got in return for Nimmo.

In 134 games this season, the 36-year-old is batting just .219/.285/.341 with 14 long balls, 48 RBI and a career-worst .626 OPS. While his defense was the main reason the Mets brought Semien over, the former Gold Glove winner has made six errors this season, after committing only two all of last year for the Rangers.

Semien is also under contract through the 2028 season and is owed $46 million over those next two seasons.

While most Mets fans would say they miss Nimmo, one thing is certain amid this disappointing season in Queens, the organization is very excited about two young up-and-coming outfielders in Carson Benge and A.J. Ewing who have both put together great rookie campaigns.

But for now, in this series, the Mets are focused on finishing the season strong and playing spoiler on the Rangers, who begin play Tuesday with just a one-game lead in the AL West.