Gold Glove defense is what makes it hard for Rangers to trade Marcus Semien

There has been a lot of fuss made about Marcus Semien's offensive production over the past two seasons and that has made potential trade rumors scream louder than ever before. While those complaints are valid, Semien's value goes well beyond his numbers at the plate.

Even though he just played in 127 games this year, still didn't stop him from winning the 2025 American League Gold Glove at second base. It is just the second Gold Glove in his 13th MLB season for the 35-year-old, who previously won in his record setting 2021 season with Toronto.

Despite only a couple Rawling's Gold Glove Awards as a physical testament to his defense, Semien's dedication and success on the field has translated to almost every season, backed by a career .977 fielding percentage and just 154 errors.

Gold Standard defense from Semien is reason enough to keep him

While there have been rumors that Semien might have played his last games with the Rangers and might be on the way out this winter, he doesn't seem to be on the trade block as a couple of his teammates.

Notably one of the worst defensive infielders when Semien was drafted in 2011, he has seen a miraculous transformation early in his career with the Athletics while working with former Rangers' manager and infield wizard Ron Washington.

That has led Semien to becoming one of the most trusted infielders in Major League Baseball splitting time throughout his career at both middle infield positions.

In 2025, Semien recorded a career-high .996 fielding percentage (2 E/493 TC), which was the highest-mark among AL second baseman. He also led all second base qualifiers in defensive runs saved (5) and third in outs above average (7), according to Baseball Savant.

How would the Rangers replace the level of production Semien provides?

The Rangers are backed into a corner over at second base because if it's not Semien manning that spot on the infield, it will likely be Cody Freeman, which despite the success at the back half of the year is still unproven over a long stretch.

This season at the plate, he had a slash line of .230/.305/.364 I with 15 home runs and 62 RBIs, all of which were some of the lowest marks of his career since his early days with the Chicago White Sox.

While the offense has seen a clear decline over the past two seasons, Semien has still produced WARs of 4.1 and 3.5 in 2024 and 2025. Thanks to the production the Rangers are getting from him at the plate and his defense, that means Texas would have to find a player worth nearly four wins more than him if they were to replace him.

For reference, during Freeman's 36 games in '25 his WAR was -0.2. Of course it's a small sample size but that is a lot to put on an unproven 24-year-old.

There's also the issue with Semien's less than favorable contract. Preparing to enter the fifth season on his seven-year deal with Texas, Semien will be owed $26 million yearly over the next two seasons and $20 million for his final contract year in 2028.