The Mets are heading into the new season with renewed hope and a new-look squad. After a disastrous 2025 campaign that saw them miss out on the postseason after leading the division for the majority of the year, owner Steve Cohen opened his check book to bolster the squad.
In the plethora of arrivals, Marcus Semien‘s $175 million contract could prove to be pivotal for the squad. Semien has been elite in the middle infield positions and already has a World Series title under his belt. During Friday’s episode of MLB Tonight on the network, analyst Brian Kenny discussed how Semien could be overlooked by many due to Soto and Lindor being in the lineup.
•
“He’s durable and still fields at an elite level,” Kenny said. “I think he’ll be under the radar with the Mets. Even though he’s a world champion star and he’s been like an 8 WAR player, it’s odd. But between Lindor and Soto, he’s under the radar,” he added.”
In his 13-year MLB career, Marcus Semien has been the prime example of durability. Since becoming a starter for the Athletics back in 2015, Semien has posted a total of nine campaigns wherein he played at least 125 regular season games.
He also played all of the scheduled 162 regular season games and a season when he only missed one game. With his amazing resilience, he led the majors in plate appearance four times.
Semien also tallied three All-Star selections, two Gold Gloves, two All MLB-First Team honors, two Silver Sluggers and finished third in AL MVP voting thrice.
Mets boast new-look roster ahead of 2026
The Mets are looking for a turnaround after failing massively short of expectations last season. Key figures such as Pete Alonso and Edwin Diaz have left the team to explore greener pastures.
Blue Jays star Bo Bichette, White Sox slugger Luis Robert Jr., World Series-winning infielder Marcus Semien and Brewers ace Freddy Peralta have all entered the Mets’ fold for the new season.
Bichette signed a three year, $126 million contract and was reportedly be switching to third base from his usual shortstop role. Robert, on the other hand, arrived on Jan. 20 on a trade with Luisangel Acuna and Truman Pauley going to the White Sox.
As for Semien, the Mets gave up a club stalwart and vital piece in Brandon Nimmo. Given his durability and experience in the postseason, he will be certainly relied upon as the season winds down.
Finally, in a shocking move, the team also acquired the services of Freddy Peralta from the Brewers via a trade. Peralta recaptured his long lost mercurial form in 2025 after tallying a 17-6 record with a 2.70 ERA that’s good for the most wins by a National League pitcher last season.
Edited by Daniel Santiago
