Back in New York, Nimmo Talks Trade

The first big move the Mets made in an eventful offseason was dealing Brandon Nimmo to the Rangers for Marcus Semien. He was back in New York Tuesday to play the Yankees and talked with reporters.

On the Trade

“I believe it was probably just a baseball decision,” he told Michelle Margaux on SNY. “Like I said last year and even in these interviews in the spring, I didn’t see anything wrong with the chemistry between the guys, and if it was happening it was happening and I didn’t know about it. So (if there were clubhouse issues) they were keeping it hush-hush, which is kind of tough to do in a clubhouse where you spend most of the day with each other. But from my standpoint I think it was a baseball decision and I think it was something that David (Stearns) felt would better the New York Mets and that (Chris Young) felt would better the Texas Rangers.”

Nimmo, who had a full no-trade clause, had five years and $105 million left on an eight-year, $162 million deal. Semien had three years and $72 million left on his contract.

On Pete Alonso

“But as far as not signing Pete (Alonso) and all that other stuff I think they went with their gut and what they’re used to,” he said. “And I think that was a different direction other than Pete. And obviously I would have loved to have seen Pete retire in a Mets uniform. He’s the Mets home run king and has all these titles that go along with it.  That would have been awesome, but it wasn’t in the cards for what they felt like were the best baseball decisions.

“I honestly think they try and take emotion out of it as much as possible unless there’s something glaring and I personally believe it was baseball decisions as to why they went a different direction.”

On His New Team

Nimmo, 33, is off to a good start in Texas, slashing .300/.374/.462 with four home runs and 12 RBIs in 33 games. In 10 years in New York, he hit .262/.364/.438 with 139 homers. He said it took awhile to get used to a new club.

“It took all of spring and even like 10 days into the season,” he said. “The colors are very similar, so sometimes when I would grab the shorts and I would see the ‘T’ on there and I was like ‘yeah, that’s right, I’m a Ranger’ … it did take some time, and longer than I think I expected.”

On His Old Team

“I’ve played here before when things weren’t going well and it’s not fun,” he said. “I wish the best for them.”

He said he’s recently been impressed by Carson Benge highlights and wishes the rookie and fellow Met first-round draft pick well.

“I got to grow up in New York and be a New York Met from a very young age until last year and it’s a blast,” he said. “It looks like he has a bright future in front of him. I wish him nothing but the best.”

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