Marcus Semien Confident He Still Has Plenty to Offer Offensively

This article digs into whether veteran infielder Marcus Semien can find his swing again in Queens after a tough, injury-plagued 2025 season. Once one of baseball’s most reliable and productive middle infielders, Semien shows up in New York with some real questions about his bat. Still, the Mets are banking on his defense, leadership, and maybe a late-career spark.

Marcus Semien’s 2025 Season: Durability Meets a Rare Setback

For more than a decade, Marcus Semien built his name on two things: showing up every day and hitting for power. That’s why his 2025 season felt so jarring. A foot injury in August cut his year short and highlighted a decline that had been creeping in for a couple of years.

Before that injury, Semien almost never missed a game during his 13-year MLB run, regularly playing over 155 games. In 2025, though, he only managed 127 games. That’s a light load for him and it definitely affected his overall impact.

Statistical Slide: From Middle-of-the-Order Force to Question Mark

The numbers really tell the story. Semien finished with just 15 home runs and 62 RBIs, way down from his five-year averages—about 31 homers and 90 RBIs. For a guy known for power at a key defensive spot, that’s a big drop.

Even more troubling than the raw stats was the quality of his offense. His OPS dropped to a career-low .669 before the foot injury. That kind of number can’t just be ignored—it makes you wonder about age, bat speed, and whether his best days are gone.

Why the Mets Still Wanted Marcus Semien

Even with his struggles at the plate, the New York Mets thought Semien fit their 2026 plans. They brought him in through the Brandon Nimmo trade, signaling a shift toward defense and veteran leadership up the middle.

The Mets didn’t expect Semien to put up his old offensive numbers. They cared more about what he still does well: defense and leadership. For a team trying to cut down on runs allowed and settle a changing clubhouse, that stuff matters.

David Stearns’ Bet on a Bounceback Bat

Mets executive David Stearns has said the team sees more in Semien than just a steady glove. Inside the organization, there’s a belief he’s got something left with the bat.

Stearns points to some underlying numbers and late-season flashes that hint Semien’s slump might be more about circumstances than a permanent decline. The Mets are basically betting he’ll move back toward his career averages, not keep sliding.

Signs of Life Before the Injury

Underneath the rough season totals, there was a stretch that showed why New York feels it’s worth the risk. Before his foot gave out, Semien started looking more like the hitter who anchored lineups for years.

Over his last 71 games before getting hurt, Semien hit .270 with 12 home runs and posted an .801 OPS. That’s not MVP stuff, but it’s the kind of production you want near the top or middle of the order—especially if you’re also getting top-tier defense.

What an Offensive Rebound Would Mean for the Mets

If Semien can keep up anything close to that .801 OPS for a full season in New York, the Mets lineup gets a real boost. It could:

Semien’s Mindset: Confidence, Gratitude, and a Point to Prove

At 35 years old, Semien knows people are asking how much he’s got left. But everyone around him says his confidence hasn’t faded. He still believes he can help with the bat, not just in the field.

Semien’s publicly thanked the Mets for believing in him and says the team’s helping him fine-tune his approach at the plate. That mix of veteran pride and team support can go a long way—especially for players trying to adjust as they get older.

Can Semien Turn Optimism Into Production?

Semien and the Mets both feel pretty optimistic. That late-season surge? They’re hoping it’s a glimpse of what’s next, not just a blip.

The plan sounds straightforward, but everyone knows it’s not easy: stay healthy and keep building on those adjustments that led to that .801 OPS run. At some point, you just have to trust the track record.

If the veteran infielder pulls it off, he won’t just silence questions about his bat. He might become exactly what the Mets pictured in the Nimmo trade—a steady glove and a guy who can still flip a game with one swing in New York’s spotlight.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Newest Met Marcus Semien confident he still has ‘a lot to offer’ offensively