It’s known that the Marlins want a closer, but they could also try adding to the rotation in free agency and then trading one of their current starters, presumably either Sandy Alcantara or Edward Cabrera, for offensive help. They might see King as a more realistic target than the other top starters, as he did open his career in the organization after being drafted out of Boston College in 2016.

The Rangers clearly wanted to move on from the 35-year-old Semien after his offensive production dipped over the last two seasons. Nimmo was the far better hitter last season, slashing .262/.324/.436 with 25 home runs and 13 steals for the Mets. He did play some center field, but he’s been a league-average corner outfielder for most of his career and should get a chance to replace Adolis García for the Rangers. While he doesn’t have the ceiling that García does, García has also failed to reach that season over the past couple of seasons, and Nimmo has been a fairly consistent player. It’s a bit of a lateral move for the 32-year-old from a fantasy perspective heading into 2026.

The trade was reported last night and is now official. The Mets are sending the Rangers $5 million to cover some of the $101.25 million Nimmo still has on his contract. While Semien’s offensive production has dipped in the last two years, underlying metrics (and a ballpark upgrade) suggest that he could still be a .250 hitter who has 20 home runs, 10-15 steals, and plays well above-average defense at second base. That last part is a key reason that the Mets acquired him, since they have been adamant that improving their team defense is a key focus for them this offseason.

Rosenthal notes that the Pirates are clearly trying to add salary in advance of a potential new CBA that would require a salary floor. However, the Pirates are anticipating being “shunned” by free agents like Kyle Schwarber and even Jorge Polanco and Ryan O’Hearn, so they are also exploring trade options in order to find offense. While nothing is imminent here, it does appear to be a situation to monitor.

Long will head to Japan after registering a 5.36 ERA in 40 1/3 innings out of the bullpen for the Royals in 2025. Long had a solid 2024 season but was unable to carry that over into 2025. He now has a 4.65 career ERA in 211 MLB innings with the Giants, Athletics, and Royals.

This doesn’t necessarily rule McNeil out for the 2026 Mets, given that he could simply take over for Nimmo in left field, but the team’s goal here appears to be improving the defense and getting more athletic. Trading McNeil seems like an obvious next move for the Mets, and there should be teams interested in acquiring him as a second baseman or an outfielder. He’s due $15.75 million next season, and his contract includes a club option for 2027 at $15.75 million with a $2 million buyout. He’d also get an extra $500,000 upon being traded.

Smith, who hit .251/.335/.366 with 10 homers in 563 plate appearances in 2025, has played pretty regularly against right-handers the last two years, but he hasn’t really had a spot of his own. That might change now. Semien’s departure also might lessen the chances of Josh Jung being dealt, since Smith having his own spot would take him out of the mix at third base. Of course, it’s still really early, and the Rangers, who non-tendered former All-Stars Adolis García and Jonah Heim, have made it clear they’re willing to make big changes.

The team would prefer a three-year deal and has been in contact with Devin Williams and Robert Suarez as potential alternatives to Díaz in the ninth. Díaz, 31, opted out of his previous five-year deal with the Mets this winter. He was set to make $38 million over the last two seasons of the contract.

It appears that just the two veterans are involved. Nimmo has full no-trade protection, but sources told The Athletic that he has agreed to waive it. Semien, 35, has three years and $72 million left on his contract, whereas the 32-year-old Nimmo is due $101.25 million over the next five years. Jon Heyman is reporting that the Mets are sending the Rangers $5 million to even up the salaries a bit. It seems like an odd deal for a Mets team with Jeff McNeil at second base and young infield talent ready to challenge him, but Semien remains a solid player and the Mets might be worried about Nimmo’s declining athleticism in left and on-base percentage.

The Braves got Payamps off waivers from the Brewers in late September, but he became a free agent after being outrighted earlier this month. Now he’s back at a $750,000 paycut from the $3 million he made last season. An excellent setup man for the Brewers in 2023 and ’24, Payamps got off to a poor start last season and spent much of the year in the minors. Still, his velocity was fine and his stuff-type numbers held steady, making him a decent bet to bounce back. Overall, he has a 3.46 ERA and a 160/44 K/BB in 156 innings over the last three years.