The New York Mets announced a surprising decision on Marcus Semien before Tuesday’s home game against the Minnesota Twins.
New York is set to host the Twins in a three-game series beginning on Tuesday, and the Mets are in the midst of an 11-game losing streak. With the team struggling, the Mets have shaken up their lineup, and second baseman Marcus Semien is now leading off.
The Mets lineup on Tuesday is as follows:
- M. Semien 2B
- F. Lindor SS
- L. Robert Jr. CF
- B. Bichette 3B
- M. Melendez DH
- F. Alvarez C
- B. Baty RF
- M. Vientos 1B
- C. Benge LF
Semien will be leading off for the first time in his Mets tenure. The second baseman has been a leadoff hitter in the past, but Francisco Lindor has been New York’s traditional leadoff hitter.
Yet, with the Mets struggling, Carlos Mendoza is looking to shake things up, and he hopes Semien can provide a spark atop the lineup.
Semien is hitting .234 with 1 home run and 8 RBIs this season. However, he is starting to turn a corner, as in the last seven games, he’s hitting .318 with 2 RBIs and 2 walks in 22 at-bats.
Mets Acquired Semien to Add Offense
New York made a bold move to acquire Semien this offseason from the Texas Rangers for Brandon Nimmo.
Semien would be the team’s everyday second baseman and add some offense to the lineup. The trade caught Semien by surprise, but he was eager to go to New York and help the Mets win baseball games.
“It was surprising. Just understanding that, hey, I signed here on a long-term deal four years ago,” Semien said to reporters after the trade over Zoom. “But once again, I’m very conscious of what’s going on in the business side of baseball, just kind of paying attention to everything. So in the back of my mind, I knew something could always happen.”
Semien has three seasons and $72 million remaining on the $175 million, seven-year contract he signed with the Rangers in 2021. Although he got traded, Semien felt like New York was a good spot for him, as they wanted him.
“I want to play until they tell me to go home,” Semien said. “At this point in my career it feels extremely good to have a team that believes in me, sees what I do well, wants to help me.”
Semien is a three-time MLB All-Star and won the World Series with the Rangers in 2023.
New York Looking to Snap Skid
The Mets are on a stunning losing streak, but the team is confident they can get back on track.
Entering their home series against the Twins, Lindor believes all the players are doing what it takes to win.
“This feeling sucks. It’s not a good feeling,” Lindor said. “We’re professionals and we got to find a way out of it. We got to do whatever it takes to end up on top after 27 outs, and sometimes 30 outs. It’s just not a good feeling. But nobody here is hanging their heads. Everybody’s got their heads up high, and they’re fighting for each other.”
The Mets are 7-15 and last in the NL East.
Mets Announce Surprising Marcus Semien Decision Before Twins Game