Everyone seemed surprised when the news broke on Sunday evening that the New York Mets and Texas Rangers were getting together for a trade. The uncommon 1-for-1 deal saw the Mets ship outfielder Brandon Nimmo to Texas for second baseman Marcus Semien.
Philadelphia Phillies fans will have taken special interest in the deal. One, it involves the always-despised Mets and Nimmo, who was their longest-tenured player. Two, it firmly thrusts the Mets into the free agent outfield market.
That second point is bad for two reasons. First, it opens up the possibility of New York bringing in a top free agent like Kyle Tucker or maybe Cody Bellinger to the NL East.