PORT ST. LUCIE — Marcus Semien has been a respected leader in every clubhouse he’s been in, but entering a new one after a trade that he never expected he now finds himself trying to figure out where he is in the team hierarchy, just like every new player who has switched teams this spring.
The second baseman, who was traded to the Mets in a stunning swap for outfielder Brandon Nimmo over the winter, reported to camp here on Saturday with a reputation that preceded him. Third baseman Bo Bichette, another one of the many new faces in camp, has spoken glowingly about Semien going back to when he signed with the Mets as a free agent in January. The standards he sets for himself are high enough that the Mets think others will follow.
“We have a bunch of leaders in that clubhouse, and he’s another one,” manager Carlos Mendoza said Saturday at Clover Park. “He’s a guy that we’re counting on, not only to post up, and playing and performing, but just with the way he works, with the way he goes about his business.”
The 35-year-old Semien brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Mets. He’s been traded and he’s been a free agent; he’s switched positions and switched coasts, he’s been to All-Star Games and has won a World Series. The Mets brought him to New York for his defense, but also for his character. Nimmo was a key leader for the team who regularly hosted team parties, and took the attention off of teammates who were uncomfortable with being in the spotlight.
Semien understands that the Mets don’t need him to step into the exact role that Nimmo once held. What he brings is already enough.
“I just want to be the best version of myself every day,” Semien said. “I try to lead by example, whether that’s not missing a workout, not missing ground balls, just things that help us get better every single day. It’s very simple, when there needs to be something said, don’t be afraid to say it, but don’t force it.”
The Mets’ leadership group wasn’t exactly as fractured as reports made it out to be last season, but it was certainly obvious to anyone who watched the team after June that the team was disjointed. Francisco Lindor, one of the most important voices in the room, was tuned out at times, as players struggled to figure out why they weren’t able to tap into the intensity and mental toughness that defined the team a year prior.
Mendoza also learned about communicating with his leaders. While no one is eager to rehash the past, the Mets have been determined to learn from the 2025 season. They’re confident that the addition of players like Bichette, Semien and Freddy Peralta will strengthen the leadership and the overall culture of the clubhouse.
“You always need to have certain guys that will police some of the things that happen in there,” Mendoza said. “The good thing is, we’ve got a bunch of them here.”
GETTING INTO CHARACTER
The ABS challenge system is finally coming to the big leagues this season.
Last spring, the Mets had former catcher J.P. Arencibia put on the blues to call balls and strikes during live bullpens. The idea was to get the hitters used to the system, as well as give the pitchers a better feel for the strike zone early in camp. Now the catching coordinator with the major league team, Arencibia reprised his role Saturday, getting strong marks on his report card.
“He was dialed in,” Mendoza said. “There was a challenge there and he got it right.”
The Mets are having ongoing discussions over how to best handle challenges. Mendoza has previously said Juan Soto, known for his exceptional eye at the plate, will have the green light to challenge the umpires. There will be a certain amount of freedom for everyone during the early Grapefruit League games.
The overall emphasis is on not disrupting the mutual respect between the players and the umpires by trying to cross lines.
“The biggest thing for me is I want players to be baseball players,” Mendoza said. “I want pitchers to pitch, I want hitters to hit and catchers to catch the baseball. I don’t want hitters trying to be an umpire, I don’t want pitchers to be an umpire. They’ve got to go out there and play the game. As spring training progresses, everybody is going to be free to challenge. Then we’ll start tracking things and issue some guidelines.”
EXTRA BAGS
Nolan McLean and Sean Manaea threw live bullpens Saturday, with McLean throwing three innings and Manaea throwing one. Five days into camp, most of the Mets’ rotation has thrown to hitters. Manaea is working slower this spring than last when he strained an oblique, and Christian Scott is also on a slower progression after sitting out last season to rehab from Tommy John surgery. Scott, however, may start throwing lives sooner than anticipated if he continues going through his progression without any setbacks.
