Marcus Semien was once known for his defensive skills as a two-time Gold Glove winner, but with the New York Mets this season, his defense has taken a major step backwards. 

Semien owns an Outs Above Average (OAA) of -7, making him the worst defender on the team. 

Several factors have come into play as to why his defense has taken a major decline. For starters, his age (35) has played a major role, contributing to a drop in his range and speed after winning a gold glove in 2025 with the Texas Rangers. 

In addition, a persistent hip injury he played through and that was later diagnosed as Grade 3 strain, sidelining him in late June, affected his proficiency with fielding ground balls effectively. 

In 2025 with the Rangers, Semien only committed two errors across 127 games, but this season with the Mets, he committed six errors before landing on the shelf. His struggles have derived from defensive mishaps and not taking his time when making throws. 

Will Marcus Semien have a future with the Mets?

Semien is signed with the Mets through 2028, and he is owed a good chunk of money that includes a $26 million salary for 2026, which would make releasing or non-tendering him impractical. 

But his negative defensive metrics, including his OAA, are a major concern for the team. Offensively, he is only batting .217 with a .627 OPS compared to a .230 batting average and and .669 OPS with the Rangers. 

The Mets also have other options at the keystone, including Brett Baty, who is a younger and versatile utility player who would love to get more playing time. While Semien's contract permits him to remain with the team unless it decides to trade him, the Mets may opt to giving him a part-time role with more days off or utilize him in a bench role as the franchise focuses on developing its younger core.