The Thanksgiving week started with breaking news in the MLB world: the Texas Rangers traded their second baseman, Marcus Semien, to the New York Mets for outfielder Brandon Nimmo. This significant move not only changes their lineup but also impacts their short- and long-term finances, as Nimmo is making $6 million less each of the next two seasons, but has two more years on his contract than Semien.
While the short-term salary difference is clear, the longer-term aspect can be addressed in future seasons. More importantly, this was not merely a salary dump. Nimmo is three years younger, the more consistent hitter, and offers more power—a massive need after non-tendering Adolis García.
Here is the Rangers new projected lineup after their reported acquisition of OF Brandon Nimmo today via @fangraphs
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) November 23, 2025
What other changes do you think we'll see to the Rangers lineup before Opening Day? Pic.twitter.com/tFqSIS4rlb
With Nimmo now on board, the next move the Rangers make could return them to contention or bring salary relief. If they intend to be competitive next season, they desperately need relief pitching. The current projected bullpen has Robert Garcia, who has more than 60 career major-league innings, and six relievers have under a half-year of service time. This past season, Luis Curvelo (4.47 ERA in 19 innings), Marc Church (11.57 ERA in 4.2 innings), and Michel Otañez (8.44 ERA in 5.1 innings) struggled and need a massive bounce-back next season, but more work could benefit them.
If the Rangers are in purely salary-dumping mode, they could trade Corey Seager next, although Ken Rosenthal called this a last resort. This move makes sense for more than financial gain, though trading your best offensive player is a sign you're waving the white flag and surrendering next season. Seager has missed substantial time due to injuries in five of the last eight seasons. With six years and $189 million left on his 10-year contract, the two-time World Series MVP signed in 2022 could bring immense value in a trade.
Moving Seager also opens the door for the Rangers' No. 1 prospect, Sebastian Walcott. Although he's only 19, his 129 games with Double-A Frisco in 2025 were the most he's played in the minor leagues. Last season in 552 Double-A plate appearances, the prospect had a.796 OPS, 111 wRC+, with 13 home runs, 71 runs, 59 RBIs, and had 32 stolen bases. He also went 2-4 with a double and a walk in an Arizona Fall League game against top-tier talent, displaying 77 mph bat speed and a 102.3 mph exit velocity.
Whatever plan the Rangers have next, moving Semien opens the door to multiple possibilities. They have the pieces offensively to compete, but the pitching staff is full of inexperience, aside from Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi.