The Gold Glove-winning second baseman has faced scrutiny in recent weeks over his demeanor following a season-ending foot fracture.
The 2025 season has been unusual for the Texas Rangers from the start, and with just a handful of games left before winter, it continues to produce headlines.
Marcus Semien, one of MLB’s most respected veterans, has drawn criticism from Rangers fans over the past month for his apparent lack of emotion during key moments in the dugout. Most recently, the second baseman made some pointed remarks about the team’s season. While fans agreed with some of his sentiments, many were taken aback that they came from him—and wondered why it took until this late stage of the season for him to speak out.
Semien’s end of season comments have fans bewildered
The 35-year-old Marcus Semien hasn’t played since August 24 in Kansas City, when he fouled a pitch off and fractured his left foot. While he was initially expected to be out for the season, there had been a slim chance of a late return.
However, following a 0-6 week for the Rangers starting September 15, both Semien and Corey Seager were officially ruled out for the remainder of the season.
Semien wrapped up 2025 with a .230 batting average, 15 home runs, 62 RBIs, 16 doubles, and a .669 OPS across 127 games—marking his lowest statistical output since joining Texas in 2022.
Speaking about his season earlier this week, Semien expressed clear frustration with his struggles but also made comments that left fans wondering who he was targeting.
“This team in general has a lot of work to do to get out of this funk we’ve been in the last two years,” Semien told MLB.com. “You think about the last two years, it’s not where we want to be. We want to be in the postseason.
“I’m not the one making the decisions on who’s in this clubhouse. I definitely know the kind of team I want to play on—that’s guys who are hungry and want to go for a championship every single year. There were just some things that didn’t work out for us as an offense, and it kind of slowed us down. That ended up being the hardest part of this season.”
What caught fans’ attention online was Semien’s line about wanting to play on a team “hungry and [going] for a championship every single year.” Many viewers interpreted the comment as pointing at the current roster, noting that some had questioned Semien’s own energy, drive, and consistency throughout the season.
Semien’s actions went questioned in final month of season
During the final month of the season, Semien was often spotted showing little emotion in key moments, even as teammates and fans got excited. One of the most noticeable instances came during the Rangers’ extra-inning win over Arizona on September 1.
To be fair, Semien—and Corey Seager—have never been particularly demonstrative on the field. In fact, when Semien does show emotion, it tends to make headlines.
Adding to the intrigue were his end-of-season remarks and the news that, although officially placed on the 60-day injured list on Friday, Semien did not travel with the team to Cleveland for the final series.
Semien just completed the fourth year of his seven-year, $175 million contract, signed before the CBA lockout in December 2021. During his tenure with the Rangers, he has been a two-time All-Star, Silver Slugger, and World Series champion.
